Regarding Richard K. Rein’s article (November 16), relating to the use of the TAIS (Theory/Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style) assessment in the “What Makes Them Tick” article to be found in the November issue of Inc. magazine, authored by Keith McFarland, and reporting on research results of the psychological characteristics of Great Inc. CEOs:
One minor but significant correction – in paragraph 5 of his own article commenting on the Inc. piece, Rein notes that “’Entrepreneurs, it turns out, are indeed a breed apart,’ writes the developer of the test, Keith McFarland of Sandy, Utah, ‘but not for the reasons everyone thinks’.”
All well and good – except that McFarland is not the developer of the test. The inventor of TAIS Theory, and the developer of the TAIS assessment instrument, is Robert Nideffer of www.enhanced-performance.com
Stephen Dowdell
Certified TAIS Consultant
Astra Solutions Inc.,
Bolton, Ontario
Rein appreciates the correction, and the opportunity to acknowledge another criticism of his column, which was based on the computer-generated automated evaluation returned within hours of his submitting his responses to the test.
People experienced with the TAIS evaluation process argue that, to fully benefit from the process, participants should undertake a consensual validation and feedback process with a certified TAIS consultant. The subject’s response style, and any response set must be determined. Issues such as why Rein answered the physical competition question as he did, must be factored in. (Rein said he “never” engaged in physical competition, leaving out the fact that he would love to, if only he could be fitted with two artificial knees.) Such an interpretation of the responses can sometimes greatly affect the overall assessment.
Maybe so. But around here we continue to believe that the 20-minute test produced a pretty fair snapshot of U.S. 1’s editor and publisher. As Rein has said, “Any success we have had at U.S. 1 surely is despite my talents as a manager, notbecause of them.” We suspect that lots of other small businesses fall into pretty much the same category.
Holiday Schedule
U.S. 1’s enlightened management will close the office on Thanksgiving day, but reopen it for business on Friday, November 25. Lest you think that we are all suffering as a result, we should tell you that staffers have been given the choice of working either Friday or Sunday (thereby getting at least a three-day weekend) or taking one vacation day (and getting a four-day weekend).
The deadline for U.S. 1’s annual wall calendar is drawing near. Please submit your organization’s 2006 events ASAP via fax (609-452-0033) or by E-mail (events@princetoninfo.com).
