The Problem with the Strengths Fad
Kaiser, R.B. (2010, April). The Problem with the Strengths Fad. Symposium presented at the 25th Annual Conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Atlanta, GA.
Following a parade of popular books, a fad encouraging a focus on strengths has swept through mainstream media and into the management development industry. Its proponents promise a revolution where fulfillment and excellence can be found by maximizing what comes naturally, rather than worrying about those weaknesses that your pesky boss is concerned about. But a closer look at the “research support” reveals pseudoscience and a dearth of peer-reviewed studies. This session brings together statistical research, veteran consultants, and leading thinkers to expose some of the half-truths and hidden dangers in the seductively appealing strengths movement.
Robert B. Kaiser (Chair), Kaplan DeVries Inc.
- Robert B. Kaiser & Darren V. Overfield, Kaplan DeVries Inc., STRENGTHS, STRENGTHS OVERUSED, AND LOPSIDED LEADERSHIP Download slides
- Guangrong Dai, Kenneth P. De Meuse, & King Yii Tang, Korn/Ferry Leadership and Talent Consulting, EXAMINING THE STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH FROM A PERSON-JOB FIT PERSPECTIVE Download slides
- Robert Hogan, Hogan Assessment Systems, LIVING WITH ONESELF VS. LIVING WITH OTHERS: SELFISHNESS AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Download slides
- Randall P. White, Executive Development Group & Duke Corporate Education—London, THE STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH: FAD, FASHION, OR BEST PRACTICE? Download slides
David B. Peterson, Personnel Decisions International, DISCUSSANT
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