Self-assessment

Introduction

1. Summary

While most people strongly believe that they fully know who they truly are, their idea may be tainted by any personal bias that they may have when trying to create a picture of the type of people they are. However, there are various self assessment tests that can give a true description of an individual by having them complete a set of questions and assessment programs targeting the individual’s personality and approach towards life. The results will then reveal the type of person an individual is without the bias that may otherwise cloud people’s judgment. After completing a self assessment survey, I discovered that I have a Type A personality. This means that it is part of my nature to want to always achieve everything I set out to accomplish and in the littlest time possible. It further revealed that other than being overly competitive, I also have a great deal of urgency when it comes to time and that I often get impatient with things that prevent me from accomplishing my goals. The survey further revealed that I am the kind of person who feels guilty when idle even if I’m just relaxing or taking a break. Furthermore, the survey painted me out to be the type of person who is likely to be absent minded or preoccupied and may even result to texting while talking to someone else.

From the survey, I also discovered that I am the kind of person who would rather do the ethical thing rather than doing something unethical just because I will get away with it. Even though I desire to achieve my goals in the shortest time possible, ethics are part of my process and it is in my nature to want things done fast and in an ethical manner. In relation to my personality, the big five revealed that I have a quite positive approach towards things. When it comes to searching for information, the survey indicated that I tend to be thorough, only deal with facts and always welcome opinions from others. When it comes to interpreting and comprehending the information, I tend to be keen when checking any exaggerations or omissions so as to relay the whole truth. I also use my personal experiences as well as opinions from others to assist in making interpretations. When it comes to determining essential factors, I tend to strongly rely of actual facts rather than personal opinions and advice from others. In the case of recognizing other people’s characteristics, my personal interaction and history with them contributes greatly. However, I find it challenging to identify relationships.

The survey revealed that I have an internal locus of control and I am very hopeful and tend to expect positive outcomes and because of this, I am quite satisfied with the job I currently have. I also have desirable cultural values as I believe in equality not only in the workplace but also in society. Managers ought to treat other employees professionally and with respect while both men and women have the right to attain any position regardless of their gender. I also practice morality and engage others in an ethical way. With a score of 26 in self motivation, my emotional IQ suggests that I have ideal management skills and am more likely to use exemplification as a tactic. I also have good perception skills which allow me to better plan and prepare for any task that I set out to achieve. As for my career, I want a job that is flexible, has a good salary, job security and one that gives me the opportunity for promotion. Other than being able to handle stress, I am also goal oriented and self motivated. When it comes to handling stress, I prefer informational support over emotional support as it provides me with the tools I need to solve the issue that is causing me stress. In relation to the role as manager, the survey ranked me as being above average and quite capable of handling any duties, responsibilities and challenges that come with a managerial position.

2. Results

The results from the survey reveal that I am a manager that is goal oriented, motivated and determined to get results. Other than assigning duties and expected them to be performed, I am the kind of manager who assist in implementing these duties through leading by example. The results also described me as the type of manager who encourages cooperation and teamwork. With such qualities, I am likely to offer good leadership by showing other staff how to work together in accomplishing duties. However, despite my good management skills, I tend to be overly focused on achieving every task with the least time possible. As such, I will have the tendency to push employees beyond their limits and want all tasks to be accomplished as soon as possible. While this may be commendable in some cases, too much may create a poor working environment for other staff members. However, the survey indicates that I value others opinions and this will greatly help in discussing areas that need change and any grievances that the people working under me  may have so as to establish a conducive working environment.

3. Strengths and weaknesses

From the survey, one of my greatest strengths is being time sensitive and striving to accomplish tasks as soon as possible. This makes it easy to finish one task and progressing on to the next. Another strength as seen from the survey is that I have good morals and always try to make the ethical decisions. As such, I am able to treat those that I deal with fairly and always achieve the most ethical solution to a problem. Hope is another strength which means that I will better equipped to solve any problem that I encounter since my mindset will be on a positive outcome in future.

As for negatives, the survey pointed out that I feel uncomfortable when relaxing or taking time off. This could lead to me overworking myself and eventually to exhaustion. It also suggested that I have poor social skills and often find myself distracted. An example is texting on the phone while talking to someone and this could create a sense of hostility or lack of communication.

4. Reaction to results

While most of the results from the survey revealed things I already knew of myself, there was one finding that I found quite surprising and this has to do with the results regarding how I feel about free time. The survey suggested that I feel uncomfortable while relaxing or taking breaks and I prefer keeping myself with work. Were it not for the survey, I would have never realized that this is something I do, nor would I have become aware of its downside. The uneasiness I felt made me want to keep working and although I thought this was something positive, there are some negatives. At a personal level, I could end up overworking myself to the point where it affects the quality of my work if I take on too many responsibilities. As a manager, it would affect my relationship with other employees especially if I expect the same of them. Overworking them too much and not allowing adequate time to rest could result to a hostile and undesirable working environment.

5. Impact of the instruments

The instruments used in the survey have greatly helped me to better understand my strong and weak points and how I can use the skills I possess not only to make myself a better person but also a better manager. Through the survey, I was able to understand my personality, my approach towards life and the reason as to why I live the way I do. It also made me aware of the negative qualities that I possess and how they affect me and the people that I interact with. However, the one thing that I found to be the most valuable, especially as a manager, is my cultural beliefs and desire to always observe ethics in anything I do. Having good morals is important as it is a way of leading by example and teaching others to always do what is right. In a world where most people often think about themselves first, having good morals is a great trait as it will ensure that people look out for the well being of others and always take an ethical approach in everything that they do.

6. Benefits

Personally, I believe I will be able to benefit from the survey and become a better person. Since I am now aware of my weaknesses, I will be able to work on them and correct them where possible. I will also use my strengths to become better and try to implement the same change in others. Professionally, the survey was beneficial in that it made me aware of the managerial skills that I process and how I can use them to be a better leader.  It also made it possible to realize my flaw especially in communication and this made it possible to rectify so that I can interact better with other members of staff. In general, the survey showed me an unbiased side of myself, where I am good at, where I can rectify and therefore made me a better person.