ABSTRACT

In exploring the route to overall performance in managers, this chapter draws on a variety of evidence. There are two main strands of evidence. Firstly, the chapter presents data on the personalities of average managers compared to the general population average. This will reveal in what way, if any, managers are different. Secondly, it looks at the associations of personality and ability factors with overall managerial performance. The personality scores have been inferred by a panel of experts from a range of statements published by the executives over several years. Although a very small sample, it is interesting because it relates to people at the very top of the world's business management population. The prime data in the chapter considers overall performance ratings together with information on job size. The overall performance ratings and the Hay Job Units were supplemented by overall appraisal ratings from an appraisal system based upon performance in key result areas.