Two decades ago the psychologists Robert and Joyce Hogan created an inventory of 11 qualities, ranging from excitable to dutiful, that when taken to the extreme, resemble the most common personality disorders. Subsequent profiling of millions of employees, managers, and leaders reveals that most people display at least three of these “dark side” traits, and about 40% score high enough on one or two to put them at risk for career disruption. For example, being excitable may help you display passion and enthusiasm to coworkers and subordinates, but it can also make you volatile and unpredictable. Having a deeply skeptical, cynical outlook makes it hard to build trust. And diligence, in excess, can morph into procrastination and obsessive perfectionism.
The author discusses the individual traits and suggests how to manage them, which involves identifying the ones that trip you up, modifying some of your behaviors, and continuing to adjust in response to critical feedback. In the process, you can greatly enhance your reputation, your career, and your leadership potential.
