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Specific Traits

There is a lot of information out there on promotional testing about focusing on specific traits i.e. leadership, discipline, motivation, etc. for assessment centers.  Trying to target and use those key words to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheets. Too many candidates concentrate on these specific traits because they think or have been told promotional tests are designed to find and qualify candidates for promotion.  They put their presentations together trying to get those boxes checked off on the rating sheet.

 We've know for a long time that concentrating on trying to get the boxes checked off on the rating sheet for specific traits draws you away from your personal life "Nugget" experiences. Stories only you can tell, and can give our guys the advantage of killing them with their "Nuggets". 

If you’ve ever heard a candidates try to pull off trying to target specific traits it sounds like a dog and pony show because in trying to ring the bells on the so called specific traits they lose site of who they really are.  They would make a better presentation with the education, experience and life experiences that is the corner stone of our promotional program and in the process get the boxes checked off too.  It separates them from the other struggling candidates in their attempt to master the rating sheet.

A tale of two candidates: A department in the Northwest was testing for Lieutenant.  It was a very important test because the list may expire before the #2 guy gets promoted. There will be a lot more people eligible for the next exam, so things will only get more competitive.

Candidate one, Dave.  I decided to use your program to concentrate on my personal life experience and stories to establish my experience, education and abilities.

Candidate two, Ted, flew out to California to go through a different program for a personal 6 - 8 hour private in person coaching session concentrating on specific traits.  He was well polished and did a great job, but he tended to be trained to focus on very specific traits.

It all Plays Out on Game Day:

Dave: I felt that I was prepared with a ton of general nuggets that could apply to different scenarios and questions. The final interview was "rule of threes" so the top three technically had an equal chance of getting promoted. The preparation and "nuggets" paid off.  Dave beat the number two candidate Ted on the Chief's interview. Not bad... Ted flew to CA, spent big money and Dave stayed home and studied the “Nugget” program like it was a new religion. Dave said, “The program works... it's right on the money!!!”

The big competition Ted came out #2

From Dave: I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your assistance.  I got my badge!! I followed your program and came out #1.  I listened to your program more times than I care to remember, but it has all paid off.  This was my first time testing for Lieutenant and your program helped me get my badge. Thanks  Dave

“Nothing counts ‘til you have the badge . . . Nothing!”

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