Does your job match your personality? | Jordan Peterson | Big Think

Summary

The transcript outlines a framework for categorizing jobs based on complexity and the nature of work, highlighting the tension between creative and managerial roles. Simple jobs require less cognitive ability, while complex roles demand higher cognitive function. Creative positions thrive on openness and flexibility, whereas managerial roles focus on efficiency and conscientiousness. The discussion emphasizes the challenges organizations face in balancing these two types of employees, the Pareto distribution of creativity, and the need for companies to adapt to maintain innovation and prevent stagnation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering a sustainable organizational environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jobs can be categorized based on complexity, ranging from simple to complex roles.
• 😀 Simple jobs require minimal cognitive function and can be easily learned and repeated.
• 😀 Complex jobs involve changing requirements and demand high general cognitive ability.
• 😀 Creative and entrepreneurial roles require high openness to experience and divergent thinking.
• 😀 Managerial and administrative roles rely on conscientiousness and algorithmic efficiency.
• 😀 There is a tension between creative thinking and efficient movement in organizations.
• 😀 Successful companies need a balance between creative individuals and managerial types.
• 😀 Creative individuals are often in the initial stages of a company but may be pushed out as it grows.
• 😀 The creative achievement questionnaire reveals that a significant portion of individuals score zero in creativity.
• 😀 Creative people are a distinct minority, making them challenging to evaluate and manage.

Q & A

What are the two main dimensions used to categorize jobs?

The two main dimensions are complexity and the type of work, which can be creative/entrepreneurial or managerial/administrative.

How is a simple job defined in the context of this transcript?

A simple job is one that can be learned and repeated without requiring high levels of cognitive function, allowing individuals to perform it consistently.

What characterizes a complex job?

Complex jobs involve changing requirements and necessitate a high level of general cognitive ability, often found in managerial and executive positions.

Which personality trait is most associated with creative/entrepreneurial jobs?

The personality trait 'openness to experience' is crucial for success in creative and entrepreneurial roles, as it promotes lateral and divergent thinking.

What personality trait is best suited for managerial and administrative jobs?

Conscientiousness is the best predictor for success in managerial and administrative roles, as it emphasizes efficiency and adherence to established processes.

What issue do organizations face regarding creative and managerial types?

Organizations struggle to balance the need for creative individuals, who foster innovation, with the managerial types, who ensure efficient operations. An imbalance can lead to rigidity and a lack of adaptability.

What does the Creative Achievement Questionnaire measure?

The Creative Achievement Questionnaire breaks creativity down into 13 dimensions, assessing individuals' levels of creativity from 'zero' to 'ten' based on their training and reputation in various fields.

What does the distribution of scores from the Creative Achievement Questionnaire indicate?

The distribution is not normal; approximately 60% of respondents score zero, indicating a Pareto distribution where most people exhibit low creativity, while only a few excel significantly.

What happens when a company overly favors managerial types?

If managerial types dominate, the company can become too rigid and may struggle to adapt to market changes, ultimately risking its survival.

How does capitalism address the tension between creative and managerial types?

Capitalism often resolves this tension by allowing companies that fail to maintain a balance to die, which emphasizes the need for a healthy mix of creative and managerial roles to sustain success.