Dark side correlates of job reliability and stress tolerance in two large samples

Abstract

This study set out to examine how dark-side traits (derailers) are related to Stress Tolerance and Job Reliability. Over 8000 adult Britons from two separate assessment centres completed two validated questionnaires: the first measured the “dark-side” traits which can derail one’s career (HDS: Hogan Development Survey) and the second two established, criterion-related, scales called the Occupational Scales (HPI: Hogan Personality Inventory): Stress Tolerance which is associated with the ability to handle pressure well and not be tense and anxious; Job Reliability which identifies people who are honest, dependable and responsive to supervision. Hierarchical regressions showed that some “dark-side” factors like Excitable and Cautious were related to both Occupational variables while being Leisurely, Bold, Mischievous and Colourful were powerful negative predictors of work reliability. The Moving Against People factor was the strongest predictor of Stress Tolerance and Reliability while the Moving Away from People factor was also a powerful predictor of Reliability. The results highlight “dark-side” traits (Excitable, Cautious, Mischievous, Imaginative) which were most related to two crucial features of successful management.