Decoding CoachabilityThe Science of Personality & Change

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Personality 101

People are different

People are consistent

This can be measured

Stability

Longitudinal studies

Genetic basis

Test re-test reliability

Stability

Can we change? Yes

Do we change? Not really

The more we change, the more we become like ourselves

Change

Situational press (ind diff still visible)

Extreme life events (back to baseline)

Coaching (30%)

Coaching

Strategic self-awareness

(blind spots)

Behavior change

(action plan)

Reputation change

(internalized)

Effectiveness1

2

3

4

Profiling tool (diagnosis)

Method (approach)

Coach (practitioner)

Coachee (client)

Coachability• Willingness to change• Normally distributed• Motivation (can be influenced by coach)• Personality (must be attended by coach)

Values = Core needs & identity

Judgment = Thinking style

Bright side = Strengths

Dark side = Risks & derailers

Adjustment Calm, stable moods, steady under pressure

Ambition Competitive, status seeking, initiative taking

Sociability Talkative, outgoing, approachable

Interpersonal Sensitivity Charming, responsive, warm and engaging

Prudence Formal, diligent, conscientious, honest

Inquisitive Curious, original, unconventional, creative

Learning Approach Up to date, well read, coachable

Excitable Erratic emotional outbursts Stephen Jobs, Apple

Skeptical Risk averse, won’t make decisions CIA & United Nations

Cautious Mistrustful and vindictive Vladimir Putin

Reserved Poor communicator, insensitive to morale issues Stanley O’Neal, Merrill Lynch

Leisurely Passive-Aggressive meanness Information Technologists

Bold Narcissistic feelings of entitlements Bill Clinton

Mischievous Careless about commitments, constant lying Bernard Madow

Colorful Manages by crisis to be center of attention Ellison, Oracle

Imaginative Bad ideas and decisions Gerald Levin, Time-Warner

Diligent Over-controlling micro-manager Michael Eisner, Disney

Dutiful Too concerned about pleasing superiors George Tenet, CIA

Recognition Attention and approval

Power Success

Hedonism Fun

Altruistic Service

Affiliation Companionship

Tradition Ritual and hierarchy

Security Avoiding Risk

Commerce Profits, money

Aesthetics Quality

Science Right answers

Reactions to Feedback

Bright Side

Dark Side

Inside

Opennessto feedback Coachability

Openness to Feedback

vs.

vs.

vs.

Cool headed

Acceptance

Genuine

Emotional

Denial

Sham agreement

JudgmentYou make thousands of decisions every day, from the

mundane to the momentous. How many will you get right?

hoganjudgment.com

Quantifying change• Subjective metrics (boss or coach)• Consensual metrics (360s, crowdsourcing)• Objective metrics (ind/unit performance)

Reputation

Personality Feedback

Self-awarenes

s gains

Improving leaders’

performance with assessment-

based coaching

Reputational Change

Action plan

coachability

Talent = personality in the right place

www.thescienceofpersonality.com