Page 301 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

300 Part 4 • Leading
environment; other societies, such as those in
Middle Eastern countries, believe that life is
essentially predetermined. Notice how closely
this distinction parallels the concept of internal
and external locus of control. On the basis of
this particular cultural characteristic, we should
expect a larger proportion of internals in the U.S.
and Canadian workforces than in the workforces
of Saudi Arabia or Iran.
As we have seen throughout this section,
personality traits influence employees’ behavior.
For global managers, understanding how
personality traits differ takes on added signifi-
cance when looking at it from the perspective of
national culture.

How Can an Understanding
of Personality Help Managers
Jean-Paul Pelissier/Thomson Reuters
Understanding the differences in the
emphasis countries place on personality Be More Effective?
dimensions helps managers of global
companies. For example, knowing that the Managers should be interested in their employees’ personalities because those personalities
trait of conscientiousness is a valid predictor influence their behavior in the following ways:
of performance in European Community
nations helps U.S.-based Burger King 1. Job-Person Compatibility. Some 62 percent of companies are using personality tests
manage employees such as this BK when recruiting and hiring. And that’s where the major value in understanding
56
employee in France.
personality differences probably lies. Managers are likely to have higher-performing and
more- satisfied employees if consideration is given to matching personalities with jobs.
2. Understanding Different Approaches to Work. By recognizing that people approach
problem solving, decision making, and job interactions differently, a manager can
better understand why, for instance, an employee is uncomfortable with making quick
decisions or why an employee insists on gathering as much information as possible
before addressing a problem. For instance, managers can expect that individuals with
an external locus of control may be less satisfied with their jobs than those with an
internal locus and also that they may be less willing to accept responsibility for their
actions.
3. Being a Better Manager. Being a successful manager and accomplishing goals means
working well together with others both inside and outside the organization. In order to
work effectively together, you need to understand each other. This understanding comes,
at least in part, from an appreciation of personality traits and emotions. Also, one of the
skills you have to develop as a manager is learning to fine-tune your emotional reactions
according to the situation. In other words, you have to learn to recognize “when you have
to smile and when you have to bark.” 57

Watch It 1!
If your professor has assigned this, go to the Assignments section of mymanagementlab.com to
complete the video exercise titled CH2MHill: Ability and Personality.

Watch It 2!
If your professor has assigned this, go to the Assignments section of mymanagementlab.com to
complete the video exercise titled Rudi’s Bakery: Ability and Personality.