THE POSITIVE SIDE OF A LOW SCORE
21 October 2019
The Development Guide in our assessment platform, the Wizard (part of our online assessment partner), provides development tips for all competencies at various educational levels (secondary vocational education, intermediate vocational education, higher vocational education, and university). For all competencies, the so-called 'competency extremes' are also available: they indicate the positive and negative aspects for both high and low scores. The positive side of a low score in 'listening' and 'collaboration' highlighted in this blog.
Recently, a participant in the training asked me what the positive aspect could be of a low score in competencies like 'listening' and 'collaboration'. Just before that, I had mentioned that both a low and a high score in a competency have a positive side and a downside. So, how can a low score in 'listening' or 'collaboration' be something positive?
How does the development guide work?
The competency scores are presented on a scale of 1 to 9, often compared to grades. Participants often associate a low score with a 'bad score', which is far from true. I often give the example of the competency decisiveness. If someone scores average to high on that, we think "Great, someone easily makes decisions, quickly resolves issues."
Positive side of a low score
With a low score, the term 'indecisive' often comes to mind. However, the downside of a high score can be that someone is very impulsive. The positive side of a low score in decisiveness is that someone thinks carefully before making a decision and therefore acts thoughtfully. One is not better than the other.
One is more effective than the other when considering the context. For a firefighter, I prefer an average to high score on this competency. For an internist, it's desirable that he/she considers matters thoroughly before making a decision; a low to average score is more desirable in that case.
Positive side of a high score
When it comes to the competency 'listening', a high score usually means that someone is genuinely interested in the well-being of others. Listens to personal stories.
A low score often means that someone listens functionally; picking up messages from others' stories that contribute to achieving results. A low score in the collaboration competency may indicate that someone prefers working independently, regardless of others.
Thus, all competency scores have a positive side and a downside, and it is advisable to consider the situation or context when interpreting the result.
Complete picture
I often advise clients to look at the competency extremes, and I myself also refer to them regularly to get a complete picture of a candidate. They shed a different light on the interpretation of competency scores and help avoid falling into the 'low = bad' trap.
- Carlijn Witvliet, Work and Organizational Psychologist