This article is inspired by an article from our partners Summit.
After having studied the Versatile derailleur, we are continuing our series on Hogan Assessments derailors within the Hogan Development Survey (HDS).
Today, focus on the Skeptique derailleur!
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The Hogan Skeptical Scale is one of eleven scales in the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), which is a measure of the dark side of personality. The Skeptical scale measures a person's tendency to believe that they have been abused and to respond by looking for faults, showing hostility, and displaying cynicism.
People with a strong Skeptical derailleur may, when they go off the rails, perceive the world as populated by people who seek to take advantage of them, and may use bullying to achieve their goals. They may lack trust in others and struggle to foster teamwork.
On the other hand, at the best of times, these individuals are often exceptionally insightful and analytical when it comes to discerning the motives of others and the inner workings of organizations.
The character of Marge Simpson, embodied as the loving and reasonable matriarch, balances between justified skepticism and the insight needed to guide her family through the various adventures of their lives in Springfield.
The underlying pattern is that the world is a hostile and deceptive place; the others are malicious and require vigilant surveillance to avoid being exploited.
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Expecting to be abused, those with a high degree of skepticism are quick to perceive attitudes that abuse them. In these situations, they may respond with anger or hostility to regain control or distance themselves from others.
At work, individuals with high levels of skepticism are highly aware of organizational politics. However, they are intolerant and distrustful of those in positions of authority and fear that colleagues or subordinates will attempt to undermine their own authority. These beliefs, when people “turn on” their Skeptical derailleur, contribute to a conflicting interpersonal style, marked by irritability, resentment, and a hypersensitivity to criticism. People with high skepticism are most effective when they are in independent roles and are managed with minimal supervision.
To improve their skills and develop better relationships with others, individuals with high scores on the Skeptical scale can take the following steps:
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Recognize that seeking coaching is a proactive step towards personal growth. Moderate your tendency to judge and give coaching and feedback a chance, assuming positive intentions. See this process as a unique opportunity to develop new perspectives and gain valuable skills that can improve your leadership style.
In one of the Simpsons episodes, Marge shows her skepticism about the investments in the pretzel franchise that Homer pushed her to buy. She is initially skeptical about her ability to run such a business, outside help steps in, and the episode concludes with Marge learning valuable lessons about business, loyalty, and her own boundaries.
Try to look for the perspectives of others: be sensitive in your communication and take the opinions and actions of others at “nominal” value. This change will promote a more collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Use your ability to critically perceive and analyze the improvement of organizational processes in a positive way. Offer your thoughts on faults and problems, but also be sure to add your views on how things can work better instead of just why they don't work (in your opinion). This shift from skepticism to solution-oriented thinking will contribute significantly to positive organizational change. Relying on the insightful and analytical side to advance the organization will be your asset!
Also in an episode of The Simpsons: Marge demonstrates keen insight in helping to solve the mystery of who shot Mr. Burns. She is one of the first to realize the potential motive behind the act, prompting the city and the police to dig deeper into the investigation.
Practice providing positive feedback by considering the best possible scenario. Give your team or colleagues a compelling vision to work toward. By inspiring others with a positive perspective, you're not only lifting team spirits, but also helping to create a more optimistic and innovative work culture.
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The journey toward realizing the implications of skepticism at Hogan involves different solutions such as a commitment to seek coaching, valuing diverse perspectives, using critical thinking in a positive way, and inspiring others with a positive vision. By embracing these points, individuals can not only navigate complexities with greater roundness, but also contribute to a more collaborative, innovative, and positive work culture.
For those looking for additional insights into the unexplored dark sides or looking for advice on refining coaching strategies, our team is ready to answer any questions you may have.
