your e2 guide to the merit profile

™

1 © Continuity Consulting

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“Your power and ultimate success flow out of your character and are influenced by the depth of your maturity.”

-- Dr. Ron Jenson

Welcome

Welcome and congratulations on taking the MERIT Profile™ assessment. We believe you have made a good choice. We created this guide to ensure that you get the maximum benefit possible. Beyond being informative and insightful, it’s designed to help you gain greater self-awareness and motivate you to begin taking steps of personal development.


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The MERIT Profile assesses both an individual’s character competencies and their behavioral trait make-up. It is utilized worldwide to optimize employee recruitment, engagement and leadership development efforts.

Introduction to the MERIT Profile™

Introduction


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The MERIT Profile™ was developed by A-Check America, Inc. and Future Achievement International

The Uniqueness of the MERIT Profile

The MERIT Profile is unique, in that it measures two complimentary aspects of the human personality. The Profile measures ten character competencies and four behavioral traits that influence your “personal leadership,” as well as how you influence and lead others. Fulfilling your potential begins with personal leadership, which means you learning to lead yourself well. As Plato said, “The first and best victory is to conquer self.” The good news is that it is possible to grow in personal leadership through increased self-awareness and intentional development of our character.

Uniqueness


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A Short Introduction Behavioral Traits can be thought of as our “default mode”. The composition of our Behavioral Traits is established early in life through both genetics and the environment in which we were raised. They influence, for example, why some people are compelled to take control of situations, while others prefer to solve problems quietly in the background, why some like to be the life of the party, while others prefer to have a few deep friendships. These traits remain mostly unchanged throughout our adult life, and knowledge of Behavioral Traits can help us gain greater awareness of our motivations, fears, communication style preferences, and how we can best work with others based on our similarities and differences.

Behavioral Traits

“Even though Behavioral Trait methodology allows us to group people together with similar people, giving us greater ability to predict their likes and dislikes, preferences and motivations, it is important to remember that people are complex and should be related to as individuals who have been uniquely shaped by their education, personal relationships and experiences.”

– From Developing Authentic Leaders ™


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What is Behavioral Trait analysis?

Four-quadrant behavioral analysis theory goes all the way back to Hippocrates (born c. 460 BC). In the 1920s, Carl Jung began using standard four-quadrant behavioral analysis to assess behavior in the workplace.

Behavioral Trait analysis can help us understand how different people interact with their environment and what their present preferences are likely to be. It can also provide insight regarding potential performance in a particular job or function. It should be noted with regard to the MERIT Profile:

• Everyone has some combination of all four traits. • All four traits are vital to functioning effectively. • No single trait is better than another. • An individual’s primary trait accounts for 50% of their behavioral tendencies. The top two traits combined account for approximately 80% of their behavior tendencies and preferences.


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The Dominance Trait represents a person’s desire to exercise control over their environment.

The Extroversion Trait represents a person’s preference for communicating with others.

The Patience Trait represents a person’s pace or rate of motion in thought or work.

The Conformity Trait represents a person’s preference for logical analysis and need for structure.

Dominance Extroversion

Conformity Patience

Behavioral Traits In the MERIT Profile assessment, we use the following four terms in classifying the Behavioral Traits:


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The ‘people

communication’

trait


Conformity Patience

You will notice… self-confidence,

decisiveness, a desire to lead, and risk-taking.

You will notice… enthusiasm, charm,

sociability, relational skills, persuasiveness, and

expressions of emotion.

You will notice… cautiousness, an emphasis

on detail and precision, restraint, perfectionism,

and factuality.

You will notice… fortitude, a methodical

approach, a team player, and concern for team members.

Observing the Traits in Action


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Conformity Patience

Begin by hovering over

each slice of your pie

chart with your mouse.


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What About You? Making Sense of Your Behavior Summary Enough generalities, let’s get personal. In the middle of your Ethos Edge MERIT Profile results you will find a pie graph, summarizing your Behavioral Traits results. Begin by clicking on the chart to bring up the personalized descriptor statements. Scroll down to read each of the statements. What exactly are you looking for? 1. Find your largest slice. It signifies your primary trait, which may explain up to

50% of your ‘default’ behavior. In the example on the previous page, Conformity would be considered the primary trait.

2. Find your second largest pie slice. In our example it would be Extroversion. These two highest scoring traits have a significant influence of your behavior – up to 80%. (You will find also these listed above the Behavior Statements.)

3. The combination of Behavior Traits that comprise our default mode will result in various strengths and limitations. This is where character development plays an important role.

4. Sometimes all four bars are nearly identical in length. This is referred to as ‘chameleon’ or facilitative behavior style. These individuals are able to better utilize whatever Behavioral Trait is appropriate to the situation.

5. When you click on your pie chart, a graph with Behavioral Trait Definitions will appear providing a basic description of typical preferences and observable behavior in people who score high or low in each of the four traits.

6. In the case of a tie score, the results are read from top to bottom. For example if D and C were both 5.5 as the highest score, D would be primary trait and C would be secondary. If another trait were higher than 5.5 in this scenario it would be the primary trait, and D would be secondary trait, even thought tied with C.


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What about you? The Behavior Statements •Take a few minutes to review your personalized summary statements based on your survey responses. We encourage you to take note of statements that resonate as true to you, as well as questionable or confusing statements (before discarding these too quickly, you might want to discuss them with a friend, spouse or your coach). •Most people find that a majority of the statements ‘ring true’ to them. •Behavioral Traits represent your ‘default mode’, or the way you are naturally compelled to act. •The more you are aware of these ‘defaults’, the better. It will also provide confirmation of your uniqueness and greater awareness that not everyone is wired like you. •As we understand more about ourselves (self awareness) and others (social awareness), we learn to appreciate others’ differences and we can then modify our communication style in our interactions with others. •As you read through these statements, you may encounter a few cautionary statements. For example, something like, “may come across as aloof or indifferent to people” or “can get bogged down in the details”. These can alert you to specific limitations inherent to each of the traits. Believe it or not, there are situations in which your ‘default’ behavior isn’t necessarily the most appropriate behavior. Even strength areas can be over-relied upon and overused.


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A WORD OF ADVICE

Since Behavioral Traits influence so much of our conduct, preferences and reactions, it takes intentionality to break out of well-established patterns. In fact, the innate limitations of your primary Behavioral Trait will likely remain a limiting factor in your personal and professional life unless deliberately addressed through character and skill development.

Here are a few examples of what others have chosen to work on. Through formal or informal mentoring and intentional personal development, someone with:

Dominance Extroversion Patience Conformity

Can learn to …

Better identify with others and play a

supportive role when appropriate.

Can learn to …

Manage time more effectively and value a

focus on details and results.

Can learn to …

Assert themselves when necessary and

be more open to change.

Can learn to …

Participate in groups, handle conflict and accept critique of their work more

effectively.

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eh

avio

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Trai

ts

Action Steps

Now that you have had the opportunity to consider your Behavioral Traits results, there is a good chance that you have already increased your self-awareness to some degree and have thought of one or two areas you would like to address. Let’s quickly review them again and make a plan of action.

Ask someone you trust to weigh in

Consider using Ethos Edge to share your results with a ‘trusted other’ in your life – a spouse, close friend or manager. After reviewing the Behavior Statements, they should be able to give you some helpful feedback. Remember: phrases that may not immediately ring true to you, shouldn’t be discarded or discounted too quickly. They may potentially be blind spots or areas of which you are not yet fully aware. Ask _______________________________ to review the results with you and provide feedback.

Choose a strength to leverage

Using the Behavior Statements as your guide, choose one strength area and consider how you can begin using it more deliberately and effectively, whether in your personal or professional life, or both. Strength area ______________________________

Choose a ‘cautionary’ area to address

Again, using the Behavior Statements as your guide, choose a cautionary statement that you want to address. Ask your ‘trusted others’ about this area in your life. Then ask them to let you know if they notice you defaulting to this more derailing mode of behavior. Caution ____________________________________

1.

2.

3.


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A Quick Introduction Character Competencies, although impacted by our genetic disposition and up-bringing, are more readily developed than our Behavioral Traits. These are molded by the myriad of habits you form and the choices you make on a daily basis -- choices about the attitudes you will have, the beliefs you will hold, and the commitments you will keep. When it comes to assessing character competencies, the MERIT Profile gives insight into your present ability to be proactive and self-disciplined, to see yourself and your contributions in an accurate light, and to be optimistic; it assesses how well you operate by a consistent set of values and personal mission, your ability to integrate the personal and professional spheres of your life, to focus on and influence others through authentic relationships, to invest in your own personal development, to handle change and make necessary mid-course corrections, as well as your present ability to remain focused on what’s important to you and not quit.

Attitudes

Beliefs

Commitments


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What are the Character Competencies?

The Character Competencies are attitudes, beliefs and commitments that research has shown to be essential for personal leadership as well as the leadership of others.

Ten competencies

that you need

to lead.

Ten competencies

that you can

choose to develop.

To help you remember the character competencies, they have been named so that the first letters create the acrostic “MAXIMIZERS,” since development of these competencies will “maximize” your personal leadership.

Zero in on Caring for People Listen, confront, empathize and coach others

Att

itu

de

s Make Things Happen Be proactive, create new habits and develop personal discipline

Achieve Personal Significance Build an accurate self-image, be aware of strengths and weaknesses

X-Out the Negatives Courageously deal with fears, problems and other difficulties

Be

lie

fs Internalize Right Principles

Live a values-driven lifestyle at home and at work

March to a Mission Build a sense of personal mission and purpose in your life

Co

mm

itm

en

ts

Integrate All of Life Develop balance in personal priorities, attitudes and goals

Energize Internally Invest in your own development, choosing to live a character-based lifestyle

Realign Rigorously Handle change and make necessary mid-course corrections

Stay the Course Remain focused on what’s important and don’t quit


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What about you? Making Sense of Your Results Character Summary Brief definitions of the competencies are revealed by hovering the mouse pointer over any of the columns like this.

Integrate All Of Life (7.5)

Develop balance in personal priorities, attitudes, and goals.

To get more detail, simply click on any column. Along with a concise definition, you will find a comparison of your score with the population norm score. The light blue color, indicates a score below the norm.


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•Higher scores are strength areas to be leveraged. Royal Blue columns represent competencies at or above the Norm line. •Lower scores may indicate weaknesses or under-developed areas. But remember, improvement is possible. Light Blue signifies competencies below the Norm line. •An extremely high score can reveal a strength area that may occasionally become a limitation. Look for cautionary statements among the descriptor phrases, such as: “has a strong desire for the approval of others, there may be some reluctance to speak out on certain things for fear of being rejected.” •Personalized, descriptor phrases are also listed under each character competency.


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A WORD OF ADVICE

“Knowing [yourself] is the most difficult task any of us faces. But until you truly know yourself, strengths and weaknesses, know what you want to do and why you want to do it, you cannot succeed in any but the most superficial sense of the word.”

– Warren Bennis, Leadership Guru

The Importance of Self-Awareness Good intentions are not enough. We encourage you to take steps to increase your self-awareness and minimize your blind spots. Here are some suggestions: • Use 360-Degree Feedback from surveys or discussions with friends and mentors to reveal areas where your ways of thinking or behaviors may need to change. • Invite an objective observer to shadow you – sit in on meetings and analyze your day-to-day activities to get feedback on how you spend your time and manage others. • Fully utilize the results from your MERIT Profile™. Ask a respected leader or friend to the help you craft a personal development plan. Be sure to also take advantage of supporting materials that are available on EthosEdge.com, many of them for free.


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Intentional development of the character competencies provides our innate Behavioral Traits with the necessary self-awareness and self-control to enable us to respond appropriately in the face of stress, fear and uncertainty.

In other words, character supplies our ‘default mode’ with the discernment and wisdom we need to make good choices in the heat of the moment.

– Developing Authentic Leaders™

Behavioral Traits and Character Competencies: Working Hand-in-Hand


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Action Steps Now that you have had the opportunity to read over the results of the character competency portion of your MERIT Profile, it is time to take some action steps.

Leverage Your Strengths Write down your two top scoring character competencies below, then circle the one you feel could be better utilized.

My Strengths:

_____________________________ ______________________________ Reflect on the following questions. How is the circled character competency revealed in your personal and professional life? How can you leverage this strength to increase your influence and impact? • In your personal life? • In your professional life?


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Address Your Development Areas

Write down your two lowest scoring character competencies. Circle one – the competency that you feel the most urgency to address. My Development Areas: ______________________________ ____________________________ Reflect on the following questions. How is the circled character competency (or lack thereof) revealed in your personal and professional life? How can you develop this character area to grow your influence and impact? • In your personal life? • In your professional life? Do you want to take action and begin developing this area? If so, keep going…


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Can you think of ONE THING you could do, if you did it consistently and persistently, that would bring significant change to your life? Next Step: turn to the next page and craft a plan for making that ONE THING a habit.

Make it a Habit


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Have a Plan. Choose a positive habit (or discipline) that you know will contribute to achieving your goal.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attach Pain and Gain. If I don’t develop this habit, what are the negative implications?

________________________________________________________________________________

What are the positive implications of forming this new habit? Is there an appropriate reward for success?

________________________________________________________________________________

Build Accountability. Who will I ask to encourage me and hold me accountable?

________________________________________________________________________________

How specifically will they help me?

________________________________________________________________________________

When will we check-in? __________________________________________________________

What can I use as a cue to help create a familiar context, full of routine?

________________________________________________________________________________

Internalize Truth. What truth could I memorize or use to remind me why I want to develop this habit?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Train Consistently. I commit to practicing this habit (or discipline) for ___________ days

or over ___________ weeks.

H

A

B

I T

A WORD OF ADVICE


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A good next step is to take a next step, and another, and another, and… Well, you get the idea. Peak performers and successful people have a ‘bias for action’. Don't sell yourself short. Choose to be relentless in the pursuit of your personal leadership growth.

Ask a friend or colleague to hold you accountable. Remember to regularly ask them to courageously speak into your life. Most people, unless invited, are afraid to point out development needs or potential blind spots. This is especially true if you are their boss. This can result in the leader becoming isolated and insulated from potentially helpful feedback. Not sure who to ask? Find the people around you who truly wish for you to succeed and are willing to help you in your efforts. Ask them to hold you accountable.

Finally, there is nothing like a personal coach to help you clarify and pursue your goals. Listen to this:

"The coach is someone whose job is to be on your side of the fence ... They're there ... to help you achieve your maximum potential,

and help you figure out how to get there along the way.”

-- Atul Gawande


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Final Word: Keep Moving.

your e2 guide to the merit profile

Documents

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behavioral trait analysis

knowledge of behavioral

merit profile introduction

behavioral trait methodology

merit profile assessment

profile measures

personal leadership