KEY PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES THAT IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE

Essay by only1kadeeUniversity, Master's August 2008

download word file, 7 pages 0.0

ABSTRACT The study of an individual's performance at work has been a topic of significant interest and debate in the business and academic communities for a long time. Until recently, was task focused with the only difference in the studies around it related to how it was measured. Further, Borman & Motowildo (1997, p99) defined task performance as "the effectiveness with which job incumbents perform activities that contribute to the organisations technical core either directly by implementing a part of its technological process, or indirectly by providing it with needed materials or service."Performance, however, can be viewed more deeply and broadly. Reflecting current research, this paper identifies the relationship between the key personality differences (Locus of control, Machiavellianism, Monitoring, Risk-taking, Self-efficacy, Type A and B) and job performance. This approach extends the notion that the right person for the job may not need only the right skills to perform successfully.

A brief description of each personality trait will be provided that will identify the conceptual relationship of the likely impact on job performance.

Locus of ControlLocus of control is the perception of control over own fate that is likened to internal control (where own actions determine own fate) or external (where environmental conditions determine own fate). (Robbins, Millett, Cacioppe, Waters-March, 2004) Individuals with a high internal locus of control have better control of their behaviour and tend to exhibit more political behaviours than externals and are more likely to attempt to influence other people. They are more likely to assume their efforts will be successful. They are more active in seeking information and knowledge concerning their situation than do externals. The propensity to engage in "political" behaviour is stronger for those who have a high internal locus of control than for those who have a high...