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The 80:20 Philosophy on Profiling
The number of profiling tools available on the market has increased radically over the last decade or so. Most of these tools have a theoretical basis in  Jungian Typology and seek to categorise individuals in terms of a personality type. The different profiles each apply their own 'type' to an individual.
One aspect that all profiles seem to have in common is that they make gross generalisations about people and their behaviour. By assigning labels to people and suggesting that because they have 'Traits A & B' they are the 'type' of person to exhibit 'behaviours X & Y' we are suggesting that there is a cause effect relationship between personality traits and behaviour. In fact there is no cause effect relationship, excluding unfortunate mental illnesses, people will always have choice in how they behave.
So why, if the profile is only a generalisation, does it still offer valuable insight into behaviour ?
One of the underlying factors governing complex human behaviour is where we place the focus of our attention. One theory (George A. Miller) suggests that at any given moment there is a limited range upon which we can consciously focus. We need to select where to place our attention, through experience we learn to make these selections so quickly that the choice often lies out of conscious awareness.
We develop natural points of fixation in which our attention will come to rest. This habituation is the basis of our behavioural strategies and our ability to gain Unconscious Competence and mastery in certain skills. It results in our good habits and the bad and is neither right nor wrong it is simply how we are as human beings. These resulting habits and comfort zones render us prone to a default set of behaviours sometimes referred to as 'personality traits'.
A good motivational and behavioural profile maps out the highlights of this set of traits, providing a picture of how we are most likely to behave and respond in given contexts. The more we respect the context specificty of the profile the more acurately we can use it to predict behaviours.
What effect does Context Specificity have on accuracy ?
Rather know how someone gets motivated to manage a project well than to cook an omelette well ? Maintaining context specificity gets you the right information.
It is critical, to the quality and value of a profile, that we respect that behaviour does change from one context to the next. In profiling someone it is therefore essential to keep them focussed on the context in question. The major flaw in many profiles is that in application they do not address specific contexts. Certain profiles are so lacking in context specificifty that they provide little more than a homogenised mix of preferences. Such profiles do not accurately portray the individual in any one context - rendering the profile useless.
What is the difference between precision and accuracy ?
Many profiling tools are marketed on the basis that they offer very very precise information. With web based profiles the precision of a profile can be enhanced by including more questions from which to derive the 'personality type'. Precision is one important factor but it's more important to recognise that precision is not the same as accuracy. It's possible to be very precisely inaccurate.
How do 80:20 encourage clients to apply profiling ?
We have used our profiling tools in a range of different contexts. The choice of profile and the method of application is always driven by the clients needs. The first step is always, therefore, a consultation to establish what you want to know and how we can get the information for you. The consultation is generally a valuable process as clients are often surprised at the level of information we can provide and the diverse ways in which it can be used. This often opens up possibilities and benefits not yet considered, those possibilities and benefits that may give you the greatest value.
What are the benefits of training to do my own profiling ?
We offer training courses in conversational profiling, using the LAB Profile, and the use of iWAM for electronic profiling. When you qualify you will be able to elicit your own profiles independently. This option is suitable for clients or consultants who will use profiling regularly as a tool for assessment or coaching.
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