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> McClelland found that people who possessed this combination of traits were most likely to obtain senior leadership positions, ultimately outpacing those who m
by koeng 4y ago
> McClelland found that people who possessed this combination of traits were most likely to obtain senior leadership positions, ultimately outpacing those who merely had a high need for achievement. [14]
This seems almost like a tautology. If people aim to get what they want, obviously people who want power will get senior positions (Ie, power). This power almost entirely lies on the back of those who seek achievement (because they want to do things), while those in senior positions reap the benefits.
In a way, it seems like the article is saying “if you want to be powerful, want power”
- bjornsing 4y agoThis. Sadly a lot of HR people don’t seem to realize this. McClelland has therefore become the source of motivated reasoning for putting the power hungry in charge, to the detriment of many organizations.
- varjag 4y agoWhere does HR puts people in charge?
- bjornsing 4y agoEverywhere? Or perhaps this more of a European or even Swedish phenomenon? Here HR have a lot of sway in recruitment processes, both external and international. I guess it stems from their role as the interpreters of various personality tests and the like.
- varjag 4y agoHR doesn't get to pick the management (or most other roles for that matter), they are essentially secretaries to see that the legal framework is followed. Yes even in Europe (I'm in Norway).
- bjornsing 4y agoHR has had strong opinions about who to hire in several recruitment processes where I’ve been the hiring manager. It’s true that the final decision is typically made by the hiring manager, but in my experience the power dynamic is not as simple as you portray it.
- varjag 4y agoThey certainly can have opinions and some of their feedback can be non negotiable due to legal constraints (e.g. affirmative action). I'm yet to see though an HR department that would pick you a colleague based on an MBTI test, overriding input from the hiring manager and the future peers.
- bjornsing 4y agoSure. But power is not that black and white.
- tremon 4y agoIt depends on the organization. In one organization, HR has a purely administrative/staff role, in another they own and run the entire hiring process.
- varjag 4y agoAll I can think of is non-specialist labor like store chains rather than any whitecollar work. I know my best engineer has failed to get a summer job in one based on a personality test. Even then I don't think they select the management like that.