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How to Identify Problem Personalities Before it is Too Late

No matter how high performing an employee, if she’s repeatedly disruptive and problematic to others in the organization, it’s best to fire her. The disruption and demoralization of the staff overshadows revenue generated by the troublemaker.

The same approach applies to your personal life; when possible, get rid of problem personalities before they cause you serious trouble.

It’s possible to identify red flag personality issues before hiring, and the price is a pittance compared to the cost of a problematic employee.

Below I list five tips to identify problem personalities.

  1. In checking employment references, realize that past employers (or acquaintances, if it’s not an employment situation) aren’t going to be candid with you. They will be hesitant to talk about problems with their former employee due to the threat of legal action. But try this: while speaking to the former supervisor on the phone, ask, “Would you hire her again?” and listen for any hesitancy.
  2. Evaluate the subject’s skills related to the job through multiple assessment methods such as personality profiling tests, psychologist interviews, and interviews with multiple members of your staff. If it’s a personal association, pay close attention to how she handles life’s everyday stressful occurrences.
  3. Place the subject in simulated high-pressure situations as part of your pre-employment screening process to get the real personality to emerge. If he is a personal interest, one of the best ways to ferret out any red flags is long-distance travel with him (once you’re sure he’s not dangerous).
  4. Conventional security investigation companies like First Advantage charge $2000 and up to look into any possible red flag background matters, including getting feedback from people who are acquainted with the subject. Keep in mind though that $2000 is the very low end of the price scale and that $7500 and much more is regularly quoted to thoroughly investigate a subject. It often takes a lot of billable hours to find actual red flags. Also keep in mind that some villains are very good at evading detection, so no matter how much the investigators dig they may not find anything.
  5. Consider unconventional security investigations as a reliable, fast, and cost-effective addition to your usual course of action.

Your desires, fears, and defenses influence your gut feelings, so it’s best to avoid relying entirely on your instincts.

Your first impression may be that he is a good match for the job when he isn’t, or that your kids are safe around her, when they aren’t, or that that prospective business partner is ideal when he isn’t.

Unfortunately, gut instinct doesn’t consistently detect a person’s true motivations, especially when stress or emotions cloud your perspective.

Take the time and resources to bring to light any hidden personality red flags of new people in your life before they rob you of more time and money than you thought imaginable.

Copyright © 2015 Scott Petullo

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