Work Personality (Wave), Intelligence and the Dark Side at Work

This study examined the relationship between the “bright” and “dark” side of work personality, as well as their relationship to cognitive ability. In all 374 working adults completed three tests at work: Hogan Development Survey (HDS) (Hogan & Hogan, 2009); Saville Consulting Wave Professional Styles (Saville Consulting, 2005); Raven’s Progressive Matrices (Raven, Raven, & Court, 1998). The four behavioural clusters (Thought, Influence, Adaptability, Delivery) of the “bright side” test were independent of one another. Three of the four correlations between intelligence and personality were significant. Regressions showed that gender, intelligence, and the “dark side” factors measured at facet and higher order levels accounted for between 7% and 37% of the variance. The thought cluster was best predicted by intelligence and high scores on Leisurely, Bold and Imaginative. The influence cluster was best predicted by intelligence (negatively), skeptical, reserved (negative) and colourful. The adaptability cluster was most related to diligence (negatively). Finally, delivery was predicted by intelligence (negatively), excitability (negatively), skeptical and diligence. Limitations and implications are considered.