Why Consultants should never use Tests
There is a preponderance of consultants selling their “expertise” by using generic, off-the-shelf instruments and lists; especially psychometric and personality tools.
My experience is this:
DiSC has never been validated according to either the Australian or American Psychological Association’s criteria of content, construct and concurrent validity. A group called TTI (Target Training International) claim their DiSC profiles have been validated in over 30 countries. But the claims of verification come from TTI’s own people, not refereed journals. TTI apparently claim it has some superior version of this instrument; I consider it to be little more than a horoscope in the Women’s Weekly.
Interestingly, when the instrument was being tested for validity in the USA, the purveyors said: “Just ignore anything you don’t think is accurate.” DiSC is simply a revenue device intended to enable consultants to earn more money for “product.”
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which is widely used, is also quite suspect. It is a “forced choice” test, which has an inherent weakness, and is too often used as a mere “labeling device” (“What do you expect from an ESFP?”) rather than a truly diagnostic tool.
I can provide by return email, a critique in the psychological press of its validity.
Validated and effective tests can be found through the Psychological Associations in your country, and Psychological Press and London House. Most require some kind of psychological licensing or credential for use. Preferably you would use an indepndent psychologist (not from a recruitment firm) as a subcontractor for access to them.
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