We hope you enjoy this issue and, as always, look forward to hearing from you at cpp_insider@cpp.com.
- Eugenia Wright, Managing Editor

CPP Unveils New MBTI^® Qualifications Program

CPP announces the release of its new qualifications program for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) assessment. Developed by type experts David Freeman, Linda Kirby, and Nancy Barger, the new program qualifies HR, Training, and OD professionals to ethically administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) Step I and Step II assessments and reports.

"In response to direct requests from our customers, we've developed a highly interactive, four-day workshop that emphasizes key MBTI applications, such as team building and leadership development," said Dennis Diligent, CPP's VP of Sales and Professional Services. "It's designed for busy professionals who want to leave the workshop ready to begin using the assessment."

CPP Asia-Pacific launched the program in 2007 for in-house and public workshops. The new program has been well received in that region. "The level of information provided, and the variety of learning techniques gave me a good foundation to begin using the MBTI tool," said one program participant. CPP will deliver the program exclusively as an on-site workshop for its customers in the U.S.

Read CPP's MBTI^® Qualifications Program onesheet to learn more

Access additional program details

Personality Assessment in Personnel Selection
by Michael G. Anderson, Ph.D.

Identifying high potential employees who fit well within a particular work environment is crucial for today's organizations. In order to increase the likelihood of hiring the "best fit" candidate, organizations are now looking to personality assessments for executive selection and development.

In the white paper Personality Assessment in Personnel Selection, Michael G. Anderson, Ph.D., explores the validity of personality assessments in predicting job performance, and how these assessments can be applied in selection systems to successfully staff your organization.

Read the full white paper, and learn the value of such personality tools

Why APTi?
by Jane Kise

If you are interested in broadening your knowledge of psychological type, becoming a member of the Association for Psychological Type International (APTi) could be key to your development. "The mission of APTi is helping our members guide others in using this powerful theory of type to assist individuals and organizations toward valuing and benefiting from diversity so they can reach their full potential." Discover the vast benefits of APTi membership and how APTi is partnering with CPP, Inc. to strengthen customer engagement. Read the full article

Personality Assessment Soars at Southwest Training Magazine/Manage Smarter, January 3, 2008 Personality differences are bound to occur in the workplace. However, when employees are working thousands of feet in the sky, incohesive teams are the last thing you need. Read how Southwest Airlines used the Myers-Briggs® assessment for building trust among decision makers and developing high-performing teams. Read the full article		The Significance of Emotional Engagement in Conflict Management Mediate.com, January 2008 When conflict arises, do you emotionally engage to create a more positive outcome? "Engagement is a way to integrate thinking and feeling - head and heart - and can play an important role in constructively resolving differences." Learn the fundamentals of emotional engagement and build healthier relationships with colleagues. Read the full article Additional resources		The Balance Workers Want Workforce Management, October 22, 2007 A proper work-life balance can be challenging to achieve in today's society. With work, family responsibilities, and social commitments, it becomes difficult to stay productive and focused. Read how Abbott Laboratories is creating innovative work-life balance programs to attract and retain talent, while increasing employee engagement. Read the full article

Shaffer Title Uses Myers-Briggs® Tool to Develop Common Corporate Language, Jump-Start Growth Talent Management Magazine, January 2008 Shaffer Title and Escrow Inc. was established in 1990 with the goal of providing a more cost-effective and efficient closing process. As the company expanded and new branches opened, there was a need to develop a common corporate language to help employees communicate with one another and to its diverse customer base. Learn how Shaffer Title discovered great value in utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Assessment to facilitate communication and gain greater insight about their employees' workstyles. Read the full article		The HR Personality Human Resource Executive® Magazine (Cover Story) and Human Resource Executive Online, February 2008 Can personality impact the effectiveness of HR leaders? Human Resource Executive (HRE) magazine was interested in the answer to this question and contacted several leading assessment firms to find out more. They were interested in evaluating similarities and differences between the personalities of HR executives and executives in other job functions, such as finance and marketing. At HRE's request, a number of personality assessment publishers provided data and analysis for several personality assessments completed by HR executives and other key executives. The findings may surprise you. Read the full article

New from Davies-Black^® Publishing: Working Relationships by Bob Wall

It's now clear that emotional intelligence (EQ) has become a key characteristic to succeed in today's workplace. It's also clear today that working relationships can determine your success at work and in life. Putting the two together—working relationships and EQ—can get you on the road to achieving workplace and career success. One step in developing your emotional intelligence is to expand your self-awareness; and asking for feedback may be difficult, but will be incredibly helpful.

Try these steps to optimize your efforts to gain useful feedback:

1. Schedule the conversation at a convenient time, in a comfortable place.

2. Establish your purpose. Begin by stating that you want to ask for feedback on how you're doing in your job and for things you can do to improve.

3. Put the other person at ease.

4. Ask open-ended questions. Don't ask "yes or no" questions.

5. Relax and listen. If the conversation makes you uneasy, don't let it show. Paraphrase what you are hearing to make sure that you understand.

6. Ask for examples to clarify broad generalizations.

7. Do not defend yourself. Don't offer excuses or express any disagreement. That will only shut down the other person from offering information.

8. Close the conversation with gratitude.

9. Take action. You may have a lot to think about from the conversation. Have a follow-up conversation if it is appropriate.

Author Bob Wall gets to the very heart of what makes emotional intelligence such a powerful tool for workplace success in the newly revised and expanded edition of his book, Working Relationships. With more than thirty worksheets, exercises, and tools, you can learn to handle difficult conversations and build a solid network of professional relationships.

Learn more about Working Relationships

CPP will be in attendance at these 2008 events, and we hope to meet you there. Also, don't miss CPP's 2008 MBTI^® and Strong Combo Workshop series.