After decades of using personality tools to support assessment for recruitment, succession, development and coaching, in this podcast we are debating the pros and cons of a personality versus strengths approach to assessment. We look at the various personality questionnaires developed since the work of Eysenck, Cattell and Jung, and the role personality has played in helping us understand individual differences. We then look at the move away from personality towards strengths and the benefit of taking a strengths versus personality approach. Finally we look at emotional intelligence, and the state - trait continuum.  In this episode, the Chief Psychology Officer, Dr Amanda Potter, is being interviewed by Angela Malik. The Chief Psychology Officer episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zircon-consulting-ltd/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://zircon-mc.co.uk/zircon-white-papers.php For more information about the BeTalent Strengths questionnaires mentioned in this podcast please contact Amanda via email: [email protected]. Timestamps Strengths Vs. Personality ·       00:00 – Introduction to Strengths vs. Personality ·       01:33 – 5th century origins… and bodily fluids ·       02:29 – Experimenting began after the separation ·       03:51 – Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud met in a bar… ·       05:40 – Am I saying this right? It’s trait not state! Question 1: If you test and re-test, what’s the result going to be? ·       07:08 – The Cattell traits ·       07:44 – Hans Eysenck disagrees ·       09:31 – I’ve heard of the Big 5 before… ·       10:09 – Type vs. Trait ·       11:05 – Steer clear of recruitment and succession (Not the TV show!) ·       13:02 – What falls under Types and Traits? ·       13:37 – Test re-test reliability Question 2: How will you feel if you can’t even process this next bit? ·       15:46 – Are all personality models Big 5 models? ·       16:41 – Personality tests; the rise and demise of disposable information ·       18:52 – Strengths have taken over ·       20:00 – This seems a bit contradictory… ·       22:34 – Taking culture into account ·       23:54 – (Don’t just) Go West! ·       24:24 – Who uses the Strengths approach? Question 3: Do you like Personality tests? If not, then this isn’t for you… ·       25:16 – I Hate Personality Tests. ·       27:55 – How did Strengths evolve? ·       28:38 – Deficit based model ·       29:52 – I may not be academically intelligent, but I am emotionally intelligent Question 4: What comes next in this sequence?: Idea, Capital, Business, Hiring, Strengths, Competencies… ·       31:23 – Competencies vs. Strengths ·       32:57 – Keep things positive… ·       33:58 – Is there data to back this up? ·       35:39 – So what have I learned over the last 30 years? ·       37:12 – This appeals to me ·       37:40 – Final thoughts? ·       39:11 – The end.