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summary
intro
graphs
detailed results
strengths & limitations
advice
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Overall Score (score 67)
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Overall ability to effectively lead and manage others.
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Sam has the potential to be a good manager. He possesses many of the traits that make up a well-rounded and capable leader. When it comes to balancing the challenging responsibilities that management entails, he will likely be able to adapt fairly well. If he is currently working as a manager, his skills are probably already apparent. Training would be beneficial if there are certain areas revealed by this test where improvement is needed.
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Planning, Organizing, & Controlling (score 79)
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Assesses whether a person possesses the ability to determine an organization's direction, execute plans, and ensure their success.
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Planning, organizing, and controlling are three key managerial competencies that ideally all managers should possess. Planning forms the basis of how an organization is run. It involves setting objectives for employees to achieve, and overall goals for the company, as well as deciding how these goals will be reached. Organizing entails traits and skills needed to execute a plan. While planning determines what will be done and how, this function involves ensuring that resources are organized effectively and efficiently as the plan is carried out. The Controlling function of management ensures that goals and plans are on track. Managers need to do more than simply tell others what to do - they need to make sure that assigned tasks, no matter how minor, are being done properly. The skills related to the Controlling function allow managers to gauge the effectiveness of ideas, plans, and expectations they have implemented, and make tweaks if necessary.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Sam is not a stranger to goal setting. He has some knowledge as to how to set appropriate goals and has likely set some in the past, but this is not a consistent focus. At this point, he is not entirely clear on what he wants to achieve as a leader. Setting and achieving goals will provide his team with motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
- Sam sometimes relies on research to help him learn and solve problems, but doesn't do this all the time. He is at least aware, however, of where he can find reliable information, and the importance of knowing how to seek out knowledge on his own. He has developed his information gathering skills reasonably well, but should consider using this ability more often.
- Sam is an excellent problem-solver. When confronted with a problem, he looks at it from a number of perspectives, searching for different ways to solve it. He has a clear, systematic approach to coming up with solutions, and does not limit himself to established ones. He possesses the skills and the knowledge needed to come up with solutions that show both originality and ingenuity.
- Sam is an orderly person who thrives on organization. In the absence of an established process to compete tasks, he would likely create his own. He takes a methodical and systematic approach to tasks, which helps him stay on track and deal with even the most complex projects. His organization is commendable.
- Sam is proactive to some extent, but not to the degree that is ideal for a manager. He may also procrastinate on some occasions, and may not see the need for pre-emptive measures if everything is going well. It's important to realize, however, that having a plan of action in place before a problem occurs can prevent an interruption to his team's productivity.
- In order to bring out the best in his employees, Sam makes it a point to follow and monitor their progress. He provide them with a healthy level of perfectionism to live up to, and these standards encourage his employees to produce quality work. He makes it clear to employees the type of effort and output he expects from them, and while he won't push them too hard, he expects a certain degree of accountability and sense of responsibility.
- Sam understands the importance of measuring and evaluating results and will likely set up protocols to measure employee output against expectations. This will give Sam an idea of how their approach is panning out, and allow him to make adjustments for future projects. He needs to make sure to be consistent in this area and not let important projects go by without evaluating them.
- Sam is very familiar with the process of project management and why it is important. He is able to take projects from the conceptualization stage to completion in an organized and efficient manner. He is always on top of deadlines, the resources being used, and any other factor that can affect the quality of the project. He possesses excellent project management skills.
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Staffing & HR Functions (score 85)
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Duties that revolve around putting together a productive staff.
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Staffing & HR functions are managerial duties that involve creating a staff that will help the company achieve its goals. What is important to note about this function is that there are legal rules that must be followed to ensure that fairness and legal standards are upheld. The right staff can make a company great - poor hiring methods, recruitment, and training can break a company. Managers must possess a great deal of knowledge in this area in order to ensure that they have the right people for the right position.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Sam knows a great deal about staffing procedures, which will allow him to streamline the hiring process. Not only does he know what to look for, he also understands the importance of ensuring that his hiring approach is fair and up to legal standards. He is likely able to make better hiring decisions as a result.
- Sam is an expert when it comes to putting together a strong team and keeping them cohesive. He is able to draw out his group's potential by carefully balancing the skills and personality of those he brings together. This will likely allow his team to accomplish even the most difficult challenges.
- Sam's training and onboarding methods are good, but could be perfected. Overall, he is fairly knowledgeable about the process of assimilating new employees. It would be a good idea to evaluate the progress of new hires, as there are likely some changes he can make to help them adapt more quickly. Sam needs to keep in mind that the better his training and onboarding, the shorter the learning curve for new hires.
- Sam is on top of the succession planning process. Should a position become vacant, he will likely be able to fill it quickly with the right candidate. This will result in fewer interruptions to his team and to productivity.
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Leading (score 52)
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Guiding and bringing out the best in others.
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While possessing strong skills in other areas related to the more technical or business side of management is important, relating to employees in a manner that fosters development and empowerment requires strong leadership ability. Good managers lead and guide others toward success. Effective management requires someone who can bring employees together under a common goal, and get everyone functioning as unit.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Sam is an adequate mentor, but there is room for improvement. He provides some guidance in order to help develop employee strengths and skills, but needs to show a more dedicated effort to nurture his staff and bring out the best in them. In order to empower his staff and help them become self-governing, he needs to provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary.
- Sam considers it important to offer rewards to employees in recognition of hard work, and will do so fairly often. He generally believes that it is necessary to show people that dedication and effort is appreciated and worthwhile. This will give employees the incentive to take initiative, to be more engaged in their work, and to go above and beyond the call of duty when it is required. Sam just needs to make sure that he rewards people consistently and fairly.
- Sam tries to treat everyone in an impartial and just manner, regardless of who they are. This isn't always easy for him; he may occasionally find himself being influenced by preconceived notions. However, while part of him may want people or situations to be exactly as he wants them to be, he recognizes that this isn't always possible and generally unfair. If required to make fair and objective judgment calls, he will likely be able to do so on most occasions.
- On most occasions, Sam is a supportive and dependable manager. While he thinks it's important for a staff to be self-sufficient and perhaps even self-governing, he still strive to be there for his team when they need his guidance. Overall, his employees can usually depend on him, and to be dedicated to the success of the team and company. However, his score does indicate that there is still a little room for improvement.
- Sam knows how to develop and respect diversity in his staff. However, by continuing to educate himself on how to accommodate a diverse team, he will ensure that everyone is treated equally and with respect.
- Sam will have a lot of difficulty handling the less pleasant managerial tasks that may not make him popular with employees, like carrying out disciplinary measures or making hard decisions. He will need to find the courage to do so if he wishes to become a manager.
- Sam has a charismatic edge, and on most occasions, will be able to energize and inspire employees to work hard. The more passionate he is about a goal, the more employees he is able to draw in.
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Business Skills (score 79)
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Traits and skills that characterize successful business owners.
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This managerial competency revolves around the entrepreneurial side of an organization, directly affecting the bottom line. Mangers with strong business savvy are progressive-minded and understand the importance of taking risks and being innovative. An ever-changing business world requires a manager who can keep a company competitive.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Sam wants to be able to head out in new and innovative directions. Sticking to the tried-and-true will be his first option sometimes, but he recognizes that it's important to progress and come up with new ideas and concepts. He may not be keen on changing everything but he is fairly progressive-minded, and will strive to work toward optimization of procedures, innovative solutions, and novel approaches.
- Most of the risks Sam takes are likely to be calculated ones. It is rare for him to take impulsive or reckless chances without thinking them through. On most occasions when he needs to take a risk, he is likely to take the time to do his research and create a plan. It would be a good idea to obtain some additional training if his job requires him to take risks, but overall, he has the potential to be a smart risk-taker.
- Sam is a very effective negotiator. He is almost always able to come out of a negotiation with a productive compromise that allows him to get what he wants and still satisfy the other party. He can build a good case in favor of his needs and bargain effectively.
- Sam places a great deal of importance on treating customers with respect and delivering the best service possible. Making customers happy motivates him; he is willing to go that extra mile to keep his clients satisfied. The fact that he cares about customers and gets along so well with them increases the chances of repeat business. It also sets a good example for his employees.
- Sam's reputation is important to him, and so is the desire to be seen as someone of integrity. Based on his responses, he appears to not only believe that honesty and behaving appropriately is essential, but also reflects this belief in his actions. He is someone that others can place their trust in, and who always strives to treat people in an honorable manner.
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Soft Skills & Teamwork (score 61)
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Ability to interact and collaborate effectively with others.
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In order to build a strong rapport with others, managers must possess certain key skills and traits. These days, it's not enough for a manager to be technically competent; neglecting the people side of an organization can be detrimental to the company's success. An open and friendly work atmosphere built on teamwork draws customers, and may be the key to helping employees thrive.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Sam's communication skills are reasonably good. He is usually capable of sending a clear message to others, and while he may occasionally find himself dealing with misunderstandings, for the most part, he knows how to express himself effectively. He should continue to work on improving his skills in this area.
- Sam's listening skills are satisfactory, although there is still room for improvement. He is usually an attentive and active listener, and this makes it less likely that he will miss out on both direct and subtle information that a person is trying to get across. This is important, because employees and customers are more likely to want to interact with a manager who is willing to listen to them. In most situations, Sam is able to offer his undivided attention.
- Although Sam can still improve, he possesses reasonably good social insight. Most of the time he is tuned in to people, able to see situations from their perspective, and use this information to interact effectively and productively with others. He may take the occasional social misstep, but this likely doesn't happen often. For the most part, he is attentive to social cues and has a fairly good understanding of human nature.
- Resolving disagreements isn't an area where Sam typically excels. He may be able to handle minor conflicts, but likely has difficulty remaining objective and focused on resolution in more emotionally tense conflicts. He does, however, possess some basic skills that he can build on. Improving in this area is important. Not all disagreements can be avoided.
- There are some frustrations and delays that Sam can tolerate to a certain degree; others tend to try his patience. He doesn't possess a great deal of tolerance for annoyances, which could result in stress and perhaps even rudeness, particularly with people who push his patience to its limits. It can be difficult to stay composed when he is forced to deal with slow processes and people, but it is essential for Sam to maintain his professionalism at all times.
- Sam's demeanor and attitude could have a significant impact on his relationship with his employees. At this point, some people may hesitate to approach him, as he can give off the impression that he does not want to be bothered, or that he is aloof. Sometimes, his words or actions don't always make him seem welcoming and open. It would be a good idea for Sam to practice self-awareness, and to be mindful of how he presents himself to others.
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Intrapersonal Skills (score 47)
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Keen understanding of oneself and ability to use this insight to guide behavior.
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Certain personal qualities differentiate successful and unsuccessful managers. The managers who are resilient in the face of setbacks, persistent despite distractions, and who are able to adapt have a clear advantage over the rest. In order to carry the responsibility that a position of authority entails, a person must have a good head on their shoulders and a strong psychological make-up. A manager's inner workings will be reflected outwards, which is why intrapersonal skills are so important.
Refer to the results below for information on the skills and traits that encompass this function.
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- Under most circumstances, Sam is willing to be accountable for his performance, and will take the steps necessary to make amends or changes when required. For the most part, he feels that he should be responsible for his decisions and actions, and understands that successes, errors, failures, and opportunities to learn are his responsibility. While there is still room to improve here Sam is generally a fairly responsible person.
- Sam will need to work on being more adaptable. Any unexpected changes or new situations will throw him off, and it will take time for him to adjust himself accordingly. He may prefer routine and constancy to change, or simply dislikes like it when people won't do things his way. Whatever the case, he doesn't like being pushed out of his comfort zone. This will need to change if he works in a job environment with a great deal of variability.
- Having goals is one thing - taking the steps toward achieving them is what matters, and this is where Sam needs improvement. He possesses some of the drive and initiative needed to set the goal achievement process into motion, but he will struggle sometimes to keep the momentum going. At this point he may very well achieve some of the goals he sets, but his inconsistent drive likely makes it more of a challenge than it need be.
- It is often a struggle for Sam to keep a positive mindset. He usually expects the worst of most situations, or at least doesn't have very high hopes that things will turn out well. While a more negative attitude may have its redeeming value (e.g. disappointment may not be so difficult to deal with if he is expecting it), it generally places him at a psychological disadvantage. He is more likely to overlook the value of learning from mistakes and failures, to miss opportunities, and to struggle to find solutions to problems because he is more focused on what's going wrong rather than how to make things better. Shifting his mindset to a more positive outlook could prove to be very beneficial.
- Sam shows a willingness to work hard, but perhaps not the desire to do so on a consistent basis. While he does recognize the value of hard work, he seems to sometimes struggle to push himself to put in a steady effort. He may get sidetracked by other duties, or struggle to keep himself motivated. When he needs to stay focused and follow through on a task he is likely able to do so, but seems to be unable to keep this up.
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Impression Management (score 0)
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Assesses the potential for a social desirability bias when answering questions on the test.
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This scale assesses the degree to which results on this test are distorted or manipulated. Many people will try to present themselves in a better light, especially if the stakes are high.
Test-taker answers are compared to responses obtained from a sample of the general population. When someone systematically selects socially desirable responses that are rarely endorsed by others, there is good reason to believe that a positive self-presentation bias is at play. A score that is suspiciously high may indicate that a person is lying, which may invalidate that whole test.
There was little or no indication in Sam's results to suggest that he was lying or trying to present himself in a favorable light.
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67
