Recently, I enrolled in an Emergenetics Personality Profile Assessment workshop, with a company I have worked with. To explain Emergenetics, the best thing to do here would be to just let the Emergenetics team explain their company , and mindset themselves, instead of me trying to explain it.

The below is quoted from the Emergenetics Profile Assessment web page:

The Emergenetics Profile is a unique tool that provides a clear window into the way you think and behave. The Emergenetics Profile is a scientifically-based, statistically accurate instrument that outlines your personality in a visually appealing, easy-to-understand format.

In addition to measuring thinking and behavioral preferences, Emergenetics is built on scientific evidence which points to the necessity to factor in both nature and nurture in the debate about human development. Studies have consistently shown that people’s genetic background is influenced by their environment and life experiences. In this way, Emergenetics was developed to specifically test and assess the way personality emerges through life experiences from the building blocks of genetics.

The Emergenetics Profile is designed to provide a straightforward, focused approach that translates responses from a scientifically determined list of questions to an individualized report.The Profile yields results that are evident and applicable within any context as it addresses root preferences, facilitating an easy adaptation process to mesh Emergenetics technology into an organization’s existing structure.

Below is my Emergenetics Personality Profile Assessment:

What does it all mean? That is a good question, and one that I’ve asked myself several times. I mean, how can they know all of the things they claim to know after just 50 questions? Well, I do not really think they can without asking someone quite a few more questions, but it seems they can ballpark it with 50. I will let you read the narrative on my report, and then provide my thoughts on the report and its “findings”.

How Do You Think

The Thinking Attributes Bar Chart: The Percentiles

You rank in the 58 percentile in Analytical thinking. As you did for the Behavioral Attributes, imagine a room full of 100 people – including you -who represent Analytical thinking in the population at large for your gender. To your left are the people who exhibit Analytical thinking less than you do, and to your right are the people who exhibit it more than you do. There are 57 people to your left, and 42 people to your right.

Similarly, you rank in the 45 percentile in Structural thinking. This means there would be 44 people to your left who favor Structural thinking less than you do, and 55 people to your right who favor Structural thinking more than you do.

You rank in the 45 percentile in Social thinking, so this time you have 44 people to your left, and 55 to your right. In Conceptual thinking, you rank in the 61 percentile, so there are 60 people to your left who use Conceptual thinking less than you do, and 39 people to your right who use Conceptual thinking more than you do.

The Thinking Attributes in Action: The Pie Chart

The Pie Chart colored in Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow is derived from your percentiles, and illustrates how your thinking preferences compare to each other. It reflects, in percentages, the extent to which you rely on the four Thinking Attributes. Our data analysis concluded that for the Thinking Attributes, any percentages 23% or greater indicate a preference. (The purple ring around the pie chart is just a reminder that your Behavioral Attributes are what people see first about you. They are visible on the outside, but your Thinking Attributes are tucked inside your brain and not obvious to others.)

Almost a Preference:

If your percentage for a Thinking Attribute almost reaches 23%, this is nearly a preference.
The attribute influences your thinking, but is not a bona fide preference.
To illustrate this concept, think of boiling water – Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212° Fahrenheit).
At 99 degrees (211 °F), it is simmering. We consider 22% almost a preference.

What Does Your Profile Say About Your Thinking Attributes?

Your Preferred Thinking Attributes: Analytical and Conceptual
Your Motto: “I see the forest and let others count the trees”

You have a bi-modal Profile, meaning you have two thinking preferences (each 23% or greater). Your pie chart illustrates your preferences for Analytical thinking (28%) and Conceptual thinking (29%). The Analytical/Conceptual combination is found in 11% of the population at large.

You probably excel at abstract thinking and see the forest (for example, entire systems) instead of individual trees (details). You are in something of a dilemma, since your Analytical thinking, which is logical, analytical, and clear, is at odds with your Conceptual thinking, which is imaginary, visionary, and intuitive. At times, it can be hard for you to balance both types of thinking simultaneously. Both are theoretical, but Analytical thinking is step-by-step, while Conceptual thinking often comes in bursts of inspiration. But each preference can also help balance the other-the blue “tethers the yellow” in rationality … conceptually, you don’t take an idea too far without ensuring that it’s rational. Additionally, this can be a powerful combination because the Analytical part of your brain can translate to the outside world what the Conceptual part of your brain is thinking.

You probably do not let your emotions interfere with your thought processes. Because you often have your head in abstract ideas and concepts and because you are probably content to work independently, you run the risk of being perceived as unfriendly.

Some people with this Profile have a difficult time relating to other employees. More often than not, they believe they are “smarter” than the average person. Others tend to agree and may find them intimidating. After one of my associates offered this description to an audience at a seminar, several people from the audience with Analytical/Conceptual Profiles came up to him and said, “We take umbrage at your statement. We do not think we are smarter than most people, we know we are!”

While you can excel in any profession, your work probably involves big-picture thinking that is backed by facts, research, and data. You have the kind of brain that could help a creative team stay on budget or invent a computer system for an art gallery.

You do not have a preference (23% or greater) for Structural thinking (22%) or Social thinking (22%). This means your thinking preferences are not concrete. A corporate culture that has lots of rules and regulations may not the ideal work environment for you. You are not especially concerned with details, which you find tiresome, or with the human side of your ideas.

How Your Thinking Attributes Work Together

Let’s say you inherited a large sum of money and have an opportunity to take your dream vacation. The Analytical part of your brain would want to get the best possible value for your money, while the Conceptual part of your brain would resist making any plans at all. You would be more interested in “where?” than “with whom?” You might choose an unusual or adventurous destination, document your trip with photos and written observations, then create an unusual travel diary for your own enjoyment.

How Do the Behavioral Attributes and the Thinking Attributes Work Together?

It’s very important to remember that the Behavioral Attributes determine how you put your Thinking Attributes into action. For example, people with a preference for Social thinking like being around other people. But having a Social preference does not automatically make someone the life of the party. For those in the first third of Expressiveness, a small group is great. For those in the third third of Expressiveness, the more the merrier! Let’s turn this example around a bit. Imagine people who are in the third third for Expressiveness, but who do not have a preference for Social thought. They might be wonderful actors, fascinating lecturers, or animated debaters. But when you are having a conversation with them, you may find them talkative but not relational -that is, you don’t get the feeling you are really connecting with them. Without a Social preference, their mind is on other things- literally. It’s not personal. It’s preference!

How Do You Behave

The Behavioral Attributes Bar Chart: The Percentiles

The Behavioral Attributes Bar Chart: The Percentiles
Bar charts in shades of purple illustrate your Behavioral Attributes in percentiles. You can see at a glance the extent to which you exhibit Expressiveness, Assertiveness, and Flexibility. The bars also show how your results compare to the population at large for your gender.

For example, you rank in the 24 percentile in Expressiveness. Imagine a room full of 100 people -including you -who represent Expressiveness in the population at large for your gender. To your left are the people who exhibit Expressiveness in a quieter way than you do, and to your right are the people who exhibit Expressiveness in a more gregarious way than you do. There are 23 people to your left, and 76 people to your right. Similarly, we look at the other two behavioral attributes in the same way. You rank in the 32 percentile for Assertiveness, which means there will be 31 people to your left and 68 people to your right. You rank in the 78 percentile for Flexibility, so there will be 77 people to your left, and 22 to your right.

The Behavioral Attributes in Action: “The Thirds”

Your responses to the Emergenetics Questionnaire place you on a particular point on the spectrum for each Behavioral Attribute. Each spectrum is divided into thirds to characterize your behavioral preferences. Each of your behavioral preferences is either in first-third of the population (0-33%ile), second-third of the population (34-66%ile), or third third of the population (67-100%ile). The bar charts are very important in helping you understand how long you prefer to operate in any one mode. Although people are capable of behaving out of character, preferences generally hover around the first-third, second-third or third-third of the spectrum.

Let’s say your friend is in the first-third for Flexibility. Some days she will be at the sixth percentile point, and some days at the thirty-second percentile point, but her comfort level is generally first-third. It’s rare for her to jump from the sixth percentile point to the ninety-fifth percentile point. If that happens, her behavior will seem “out of character,” and she will be exhausted later. If your scores fall in the second-third, our research shows you can adapt to any situation. We call this the “it depends” group. You can go either way, depending on the circumstances.

Almost a Preference:

It is possible for a Behavioral Attribute to be a near preference. If your preference is close to a cut-off point, you may sometimes behave as if you belong in the adjacent third. For example, if you are in the 66th percentile for Expressiveness, you are almost in the third-third. Sometimes you will behave in a gregarious way. Similarly, if you are in the 34th percentile for Expressiveness, you are very close to being in the first-third. Behaving in a quiet way would not be out of character for you. In this report we mostly will discuss the behaviors that are at the first-third and third-third ends of each spectrum.

What Does Your Profile Say About Your Behavioral Attributes?

Your behavioral percentiles are as follows: Expressiveness (24%), Assertiveness (32%), and Flexibility (78%).

o Because your level of Expressiveness is in the first third, you are probably calm, thoughtful and quiet. In general, you probably keep your thoughts to yourself, your facial expressions may be stoic, and you can maintain confidential information easily. You may learn by listening and reflecting. You don’t waste words, and you tend to think before you speak. You may be less dependent on others for your own amusement. You generally prefer one-on-one conversations or small gatherings over participating in large groups. In group situations, you hope you won’t be singled out. If you must spend prolonged periods of time with people, you may eventually need to retreat to privacy, which you find energizing. Because you are generally reserved, you may be perceived as less emotional (which may or may not be the case). Sometimes you may be so quiet that you may not realize other people cannot readily perceive what you are thinking. When you are working in a team, you are often the calming influence on those around you.

o Because your level of Assertiveness is in the first third, you are probably amiable, easygoing, and supportive. You generally choose to go along with most decisions and tend to keep your opinions to yourself on most things. You probably steer away from confrontations and most likely are viewed as a peacekeeper. You tend to be deliberate and may complete tasks at your own pace. Because you are genial and your voice is generally even-toned, you may run the risk of being overlooked. At 32%, you are bordering on the second third of Assertiveness, which starts at 34%. Although technically you are in the first third, you may find it easy to behave in a moderately assertive manner.

o Because your level of Flexibility is in the third third, you are probably affable, accommodating, and easygoing. You probably are patient with difficult people and even-tempered in most situations. You are generally congenial and easy to get along with. You usually are adaptable and open to suggestions from others, which generally makes you pleasant to work with. Most likely you are comfortable with ambiguity, and you may see the value of different points of view. Interruptions, transitions, and changes probably don’t bother you as much as people who are in the first third for Flexibility. Because you are always open to suggestion, you may need to be careful about appearing indecisive.

How Your Behavioral Attributes Work Together

Let’s say you are with a group that is trying to decide where to go for lunch. The choice is between two nearby restaurants- Indian or Chinese. Although you prefer Chinese food, you probably don’t really mind where you eat. In fact, most likely you are the most agreeable member of the group! Because you are in the third third for Flexibility, you may be open to all points of view. One person notes that the Chinese restaurant might be faster, which seems correct to you. Then someone else points out that the Indian restaurant is closer, and therefore quicker, and that makes
sense to you as well. Because you are in the first third for Assertiveness, you are probably content to go along with what the group decides. Also, being in the first third of Expressiveness, you may not feel the need to talk a lot about the issue. Even if the group decides to go to the Indian restaurant, you probably are so open-minded and easygoing that the lunch issue is not going to upset your day.

YOUR PROFILE IN ACTION

You have Analytical and Conceptualthinking preferences, with first third Expressiveness, first third Assertiveness, and third third Flexibility. What does this Profile mean for you?

Your preference for Analytical thinking suggests thought processes that are theoretical, rational, and skeptical. Your Analytical brain is inquisitive and always wants answers, so you are likely to pursue topics until you are satisfied that you have the correct information. You probably prefer conclusions that are backed up with data and research. Your preference for Conceptual thinking implies thought processes that are unusual and visionary. You probably base your decisions at least in part on intuition and sheer inspiration. You may surprise people by being rational and serious, and then showing a glimpse of your imaginative side. Both of your thinking preferences are associated with abstract thought, which suggests you are more interested in systems and concepts, and less likely to bother with practical, concrete details or interpersonal connections. When you harness your Analytical and Conceptual preferences together, you come up with elegant solutions that are fresh, yet based on established data. Certain people may find some of your Conceptual ideas too far “out there”; however, you can use your Analytical preference to translate these ideas into terms everyone understands. When you are making a big decision, remember to get input from people with Structural and Social preferences in order to consider all perspectives.

Your level of Expressiveness suggests that you are generally reserved. Your level of Assertiveness implies that you are usually agreeable and prefer to keep the peace. Your level of Flexibility indicates that you are open-minded. You are not the loudest voice in the group, or the most persistent, and generally you are straightforward, without a strong or hidden agenda. With this Profile, you may be so quiet and accommodating that people may overlook you and your ideas. Your way of staying engaged is to help facilitate group consensus.

As a leader, you may prefer to get the job done with a minimum amount of discussion. You generally are congenial and easygoing. As an Analytical and Conceptual thinker, you can be intimidating, as you are not afraid to ask tough questions, even if doing so puts others on the spot. You probably’ have a vision that extends far into the future, and you expect others to share your enthusiasm for the overall concept or goal. Keep in mind that your preference for abstract thought may make it hard for some people to understand what you expect of them, so it is important to utilize your Flexibility to connect with others on their level.
Please remember that there are no “right” or “wrong” Emergenetics results, and that your Profile does not indicate how capable you are at any specific activity. You are unique, and your Profile is wonderful the way it is.