How to Maximize Benefits of Behavioral Assessment Tests in the Hiring Process

Behavioral Assessment

This article is the first in 180one’s two-part series looking at behavioral assessment testing as part of the hiring process.
 
Hiring managers know there’s no perfect process for selecting the best candidate for a job, so it makes sense to utilize all the tools you can access to improve that process. At 180one, we’re finding that organizations are increasingly using behavioral assessment tests, often also referred to as personality tests, to help evaluate the suitability and predicted performance of high-level job candidates.


These tests can be a valuable resource, but they don’t paint a full or completely accurate picture on their own of a candidate’s ability to succeed in a job. When looking at indicators for success, research shows that in the hiring process, the general interview provides a 15% measure of success, and reference checks are about 7%, while cognitive or behavioral assessments are 25-30% effective.


Data suggests that these assessments have an important role to play as a tool leading to a great hire. There’s a wide range of test styles to choose from, at a range of price points, and taking a behavioral test today is a much more automated process than when they were first used in industrial settings.


Leading Behavioral Assessment Tools

The most popular and high-profile tests being used by hiring managers today include the following:


Hogan – Hogan’s tagline is “The Science of Personality,” and they offer a suite of business-based assessments for hiring and development. Their cornerstone assessment, the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), identifies qualities that describe how an employee will relate to others when they are at their best, and gives insight into how people work, how they lead, and how successful they will be. Hogan assessments are used by many Fortune 500 companies, including Intel, McDonald’s, Merck, GM, Microsoft and Cisco.


DISC – DISC’s accessibility and ease of plugging in results to success models makes it one of the most widely used workplace behavioral assessment tools today, and it’s also the one with the earliest origins. It was first developed in the 1920s by William Moulton Marston (also the inventor of the first lie detector and the creator of Wonder Woman). Marston theorized that the behavioral expression of emotions in relationship to environment could be categorized into four primary types: Dominance (D), Inducement or Influence (I), Submission or Steadiness (S), and Compliance (C). DISC assessments are also used by many Fortune 500 companies, particularly within management, including General Electric, Chevron and Walmart.


Wonderlic – The Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT-R) helps measure general mental ability, which it touts as being widely accepted as one of the single best predictors of job success. The Wonderlic “Wonscore” assesses and ranks potential employees in the areas scientifically proven to predict job performance: Cognitive ability + motivation + personality. The NFL uses Wonderlic to assess their quarterbacks – it’s a timed test and can evaluate a person’s ability to make quick decisions without knowing all the options.


Myers-Briggs – the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) continues to be the most widely used personality test worldwide, although it has a different role than behavioral assessments in predicting success in the workplace. MBTI personality testing includes behavior, traits and character, and is based on psychologist Carl Jung’s model of “Psychological Types.” His belief was that every person has an innate desire to grow, and part of that growth comes from understanding, individually, how we operate in the world.


How Behavioral Assessment Tools Can Miss the Mark

In the early days of behavioral assessments for work, the candidate or employee would take the test, then an industrial psychologist or other trained analyst would scrutinize the test to identify behaviors especially suited or contrary to job benchmarks. (We’ll look at how job benchmarks help interpret test results in part 2 of this series.)


Today, because almost all popular behavioral assessment tests are administered online, and some are free, there’s a likelihood that the person(s) evaluating a candidate’s behavioral test results may not have much training or experience in how to interpret the information and relate it to other factors significant to predicting job performance and success.


The Nielson Group, which specializes in work-based behavioral assessment testing, has found some common mistakes organizations and hiring managers make in using behavioral style assessments when they don’t have training on how to best use the results.

Tests such as DISC, Wonderlic, or Myers-Briggs can be valuable tools, but these tests won’t be a significant indicator if they are the only tool a company uses to assess a person’s talent and fit. The complexity of determining talent and fit includes other important elements that need to be considered for hiring and developing employees.


Mistake #1: Behavioral assessment test results will tell you who will be a superstar performer or a low performer


Probably the most common error made in using a behavior-based assessment model occurs when someone assumes that it explains who will succeed or fail in a job. Most behavioral assessment tests only measure common behavioral tendencies — not skills, not motivators, not the ability to make quick decisions and good judgment.


A single behavioral assessment without companion tools and analysis does not predict job success — a “best” behavioral job profile for a position can be identified but is not appropriate as the only criteria to consider. Organizational research has shown that in general, any type of behavioral style can succeed in any type of profession, including leadership positions. It’s important to remember a behavioral style is only one part of the picture and there are many other elements that affect job performance.


Mistake #2: Behavioral style assessments are complete personality profiles appropriate for selection and development


While behavioral assessment tools such as DISC and Wonderlic explore traits within someone’s personality, the term “personality” encompasses much more than the scope of a behavioral assessment test. A complete talent profile is much more than behavior, and includes facets like values, beliefs, the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, sense of humor, character, ethics, emotional maturity, thinking preferences, soft skills, and communication style. A behavioral assessment test is not a complete measure of who someone is, but simply one aspect of what makes a person unique: how we prefer to act and communicate in a certain situation.


Mistake #3: The hiring manager uses anecdotal data to determine what type of personality would be successful in a given role.


You can get the “right” result, meaning the result you’re looking for, from a test, but are you getting the right person for the job? For example, the “driver” personality is the most over-sought trait hiring leaders look for across all jobs and functions. However, an office full of Type A personalities can create havoc on any organization. Understanding the true personality required for a given role by considering other factors such as emotional intelligence, business acumen, and underlying core motivators, as well as considering other employees’ test results or industry statistics for the profession is critical.


Key takeaways on behavioral assessment tools

With the variety of assessment tools available, it’s important to identify what specific information you want to glean from a test, then research the types of tests in order to choose one (or more) that most closely aligns with your hiring needs.


For example, one test type may work better for you in identifying strong leadership traits your organization needs now, such as Hogan, and another may serve you better in looking at how someone will integrate into a team and their potential to develop into a leadership role, such as DISC.


Maximizing the efficacy of these tests requires experience in analyzing the results, so you’ll get the most out of a behavioral assessment when you partner with a trained user of the assessment tool. They can interpret test results with specific knowledge of your organization’s needs along with comparative data from other organizations with similar needs.


In part 2 of this series, we’ll look at how behavioral assessment tests and results are used in practice: At what stages hiring managers use them in the recruitment and interview processes, and the benefits and drawbacks of that timing; how to use test results in the interview process; and how to use them for onboarding and creating employee development plans.

The 7 Wonders of How to Retain Your Best Talent

By Greg Togni • November 4, 2025
In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, retaining top talent has become one of the most pressing challenges for organizations of all sizes. According to recent data, 76% of private company executives consider talent retention a key to remaining competitive , and for good reason. The cost of replacing an employee can reach up to two times their annual salary, not to mention the loss of institutional knowledge, customer relationships, and team morale that often follows. Yet despite leaders recognizing its importance, 51% of employees are actively looking for or open to a new opportunity . This means that roughly half of your workforce could walk out the door at any time if they find a better offer, stronger culture, or more growth potential. In such a landscape, retention isn’t just an HR function; it’s a strategic imperative. Below, we explore the key drivers of employee retention and how companies can build a culture that keeps their best people engaged, loyal, and thriving. 1. Build a Culture of Recognition and Trust People don’t just work for paychecks—they work for appreciation. Studies show that 71% of employees would be less likely to leave if they were recognized more frequently . Recognition goes far beyond annual awards or performance reviews; it’s about cultivating a daily culture of appreciation. When employees feel that their contributions are valued, they’re more motivated, more loyal, and more invested in the company’s success. But recognition must be genuine and consistent. It can take many forms: a manager’s public praise in a meeting, a peer-to-peer “thank you” program, or even a personalized message from leadership. Recognition reinforces belonging, and belonging drives engagement. However, appreciation alone isn’t enough if leaders fail to act on employee feedback. When organizations solicit feedback but do nothing with it, it creates frustration and mistrust. Employees start to believe leadership doesn’t listen, which erodes morale. Transparency about what’s being done with feedback, whether changes are implemented or not, is essential to maintaining trust and retention. 2. Strengthen Leadership and Management Quality It’s often said that people don’t quit jobs, they quit managers. The data support this: seven out of ten workers who quit their jobs do so because of a bad manager . Poor management can take many forms, micromanagement, lack of communication, inconsistent expectations, or insufficient support. Whatever the cause, bad management destroys engagement faster than almost any other factor. To retain your best talent, invest in developing your leaders. Provide training on emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict resolution. Encourage managers to hold regular one-on-ones that focus on coaching rather than just task management. Good leaders inspire people to stay and grow; bad ones drive them away. Organizations that prioritize leadership development send a clear message: we care about your experience here, not just your output. 3. Make Onboarding an Experience, not a Process The employee experience starts on day one. A strong onboarding program sets the tone for engagement, connection, and retention. Research shows that 69% of employees are more likely to stay for at least three years after a great onboarding experience . That’s a powerful return on investment for something many companies still treat as a checklist exercise. Effective onboarding goes beyond paperwork and orientation. It integrates new hires into the company culture, connects them with mentors, and helps them understand how their role contributes to the organization’s mission. The first 90 days are critical; employees decide whether they see a long-term future with the company based largely on this period. Investing in structured, meaningful onboarding experiences pays dividends in loyalty, productivity, and morale. 4. Offer Continuous Learning and Career Growth In an era of rapid technological change, professional development is not just a perk; it’s a necessity. 94% of employees say they would stay longer if they had more learning opportunities. That statistic should grab every executive’s attention. Employees want to grow, evolve, and feel like they are moving forward in their careers. Creating a culture of continuous learning means offering access to courses, mentorship programs, cross-departmental projects, and leadership pathways. It also means making learning accessible through digital platforms, lunch-and-learns, or sponsorships for certifications. Career stagnation is one of the biggest drivers of turnover. When employees see no path upward, they start looking outward. Companies that invest in developing their people not only improve retention but also future-proof their workforce for tomorrow’s challenges. 5. Align Compensation with Value While culture, recognition, and growth matter deeply, compensation remains a critical factor. Fifty-six percent of employees say compensation is a top reason they would consider leaving . Fair pay isn’t just about keeping up with competitors; it’s about showing employees they are valued. This doesn’t always mean being the highest-paying employer in your market, but it does mean being competitive and transparent. Regular salary benchmarking, performance-based bonuses, and clear communication about pay structures build trust and loyalty. Additionally, benefits play a huge role. Health insurance, retirement contributions, flexible work arrangements, and mental health resources are all part of the total compensation package employees evaluate when deciding whether to stay. 6. Foster a Sense of Purpose and Belonging Employees today are looking for more than just a job; they’re looking for meaning. They want to know if their work has purpose and that their company stands for something beyond profit. This is especially true for younger generations entering the workforce. Creating purpose means connecting daily tasks to the broader mission and impact of the organization. When employees understand how their work contributes to something bigger, whether it’s serving customers, improving communities, or driving innovation, they’re more likely to stay committed and engaged. Belonging also plays a major role. Inclusive cultures where diverse voices are valued foster higher engagement and retention. Employees should feel they can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of judgment or exclusion. 7. Use Data to Drive Retention Strategy Retention isn’t a guessing game; it’s measurable. Use employee engagement surveys, turnover data, and stay interviews to understand why people stay and why they leave. Look for patterns by department, manager, or tenure. Once you identify the drivers of turnover, act quickly. Whether it’s improving communication, adjusting workloads, or rethinking career paths, data-driven decisions allow you to focus resources where they’ll have the greatest impact. Remember: what gets measured gets improved. Retaining top talent isn’t just an HR initiative - it’s a company-wide commitment. From executives to front-line managers, every leader has a role to play in creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to stay. In the end, companies that treat employees as their most valuable asset - and act accordingly- will not only retain their best talent but also attract more of it. In a world where skilled workers have more choices than ever, the organizations that win will be those that make people want to stay.

New Opportunity: Chief Financial Officer

By Effie Zimmerman • October 22, 2025
 Chief Financial Officer ABOUT THE COMPANY CRU Data Security Group (CDSG) is a leading innovator and manufacturer of industrial-grade flash storage, secure storage products, and removable secure data solutions. With its OEM partners, CDSG supports security-conscious customers worldwide, including government agencies, military organizations, and corporations of all sizes. The company’s portfolio includes highly secure solid-state drives (SSDs), removable SSDs, disaster-proof storage devices, and forensic investigation tools. These purpose-built solutions are engineered to deliver the highest levels of security, durability, and performance, ensuring mission-critical data is protected whether operating at the edge, in the field, or behind the firewall. In 2025, Seattle-based private equity firm Pike Street Capital made a strategic investment in CDSG to accelerate growth through product innovation and targeted acquisitions. THE ROLE CDSG is seeking an experienced and results-driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the financial strategy and execution of their high-growth business. The CFO will play a critical role in enabling both organic and acquisitive growth, optimizing operations, and driving value creation in partnership with the CEO and private equity sponsor. This is a hands-on executive leadership role ideal for a proven financial leader with a track record of operating in dynamic, performance-driven environments. RESPONSIBILITIES Executive & Strategic Leadership Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team, actively contributing to policy, direction, and long-term planning. Help define and execute the company’s growth strategy in alignment with operational, financial, and market objectives. Drive a high-performance culture through accountability, transparency, and collaboration. Lead by example, setting the tone and culture across the organization. Operate as a player/coach, comfortable building models, developing presentations, and engaging directly in critical business issues. Attract, develop, and retain top-tier financial and operational talent. Lead major business initiatives and projects (e.g., productivity improvement, pricing strategies) with measurable results. Shoulder broad business leadership responsibility, beyond traditional finance functions. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Own the development and ongoing refinement of annual budgets, monthly forecasts, and long-term financial planning. Track and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure performance against strategic goals. Conduct hands-on analysis of financial performance, with actionable insights to achieve growth and EBITDA targets. Lead investment analysis and decision support, including customer pricing models and full business case development. Demonstrated expertise in labor cost management and margin improvement strategies. Bring experience across multiple ERP platforms; ERP selection and implementation experience is highly preferred. Accounting & Financial Operations Oversee all accounting and finance functions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial information. Prepare and deliver comprehensive financial reporting packages, including monthly P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and covenant compliance. Ensure all financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and meet internal and external stakeholder requirements. Lead all month-end close activities, including general ledger, balance sheet reconciliations, and overhead allocation. Enhance and scale accounting processes, systems, and internal controls to support company growth. Coordinate the annual audit process, ensuring unqualified audit results. Lead the preparation and management of company-wide budgets, including revenue and capital expenditure planning. Treasury & Working Capital Management Lead cash flow forecasting, management, and decision-making around weekly cash disbursements. Improve the full cash cycle, credit policy, collections, inventory, and payables management. Manage lender relationships and covenant compliance. Use forward-looking cash flow analysis to guide capital structure decisions and working capital strategy. M&A & Private Equity Engagement Collaborate with the leadership team, private equity sponsors on M&A activities. Experience or understanding of value creation planning, reporting, and board-level communication. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related discipline; CPA and MBA strongly preferred. Extensive experience in senior financial leadership roles, ideally within a private equity-backed or high-growth environment. Deep understanding of financial and operational disciplines, including P&L ownership, balance sheet management, cash flow optimization, and capital allocation. Demonstrated experience in corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to lead complex negotiations related to financing, vendor agreements, M&A, and commercial terms. Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and working capital management; prior public accounting experience is a plus. Strong business acumen with the ability to quickly assess new challenges and make sound, data-driven decisions in a dynamic environment. Natural leadership presence with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of an organization and with external stakeholders. Resilient under pressure with a disciplined approach to prioritization, execution, and delegation. Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to clearly articulate financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders. Committed to service excellence, with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style. High attention to detail and precision, balanced with the ability to think strategically and see the broader business context. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been retained by CDSG to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Nicole Brady at 180one at: 503.699.0184 / nicole@180one.com .

Rethinking the Org Chart: Why Successful Companies Avoid Overloading Managers

By Greg Togni • October 3, 2025
In today’s business climate, reorganizations have become the norm rather than the exception. Companies shift structure to respond to market changes, streamline costs, adopt new technologies, or realign with strategy. But while the headlines focus on job cuts or new leadership, one critical factor often overlooked in the success or failure of a reorganization is managerial span of control : the number of direct reports assigned to each manager. When companies get this wrong, they risk derailing even the best-planned structural change. When they get it right, the results include faster decision-making, improved employee engagement, and better execution of strategic goals. So how do the most successful companies handle this delicate balance during a reorg? The Pitfalls of Overloading Managers The pressure to do more with less can tempt organizations to increase the number of employees reporting directly to each manager. After all, fewer managers mean lower salary overhead, less bureaucracy, and theoretically, a leaner, faster organization. But research consistently shows that increasing a manager’s span of control beyond a certain point leads to declining effectiveness , both for the manager and their team. According to a comprehensive study by Bain & Company, companies with top-quartile performance in productivity and employee engagement tend to cap manager spans at no more than 7 to 10 direct reports , depending on the complexity of the work and the level of autonomy of the team. Beyond this range, several problems begin to surface: Decreased coaching and development time: With too many direct reports, managers struggle to provide regular feedback or support individual growth. Slower decision-making: Managers become bottlenecks as more team members wait for approvals or guidance. Increased burnout: Overloaded managers report higher levels of stress, disengagement, and turnover. Reduced innovation: Less time for strategic thinking means less opportunity to solve problems creatively or improve team performance. Harvard Business Review echoes this concern, noting that “as spans widen, the average quality of management and leadership drops,” especially in knowledge-driven or high-complexity work environments. Span of Control: One Size Doesn’t Fit All So what’s the right number? The answer depends on context , and smart companies know that not all roles, teams, or business units require the same structure. Key variables include: Task complexity: Teams doing routine, repeatable work (like call centers or transactional processing) can operate effectively with spans as wide as 15-20 direct reports. In contrast, research and development teams often require narrower spans due to higher collaboration and oversight needs. Employee experience: Highly experienced, autonomous employees require less hands-on supervision, allowing for broader spans. Manager capability: Not all managers are equally equipped to handle large teams. Leadership training, experience, and support systems (like team leads or AI tools) can influence optimal span. Organizational culture: Companies with strong cultures of self-management and clear accountability structures may tolerate wider spans without performance drops. A 2023 McKinsey report emphasizes this variability, stating, “Leading companies tailor spans of control by role and level, not by arbitrary benchmarks.” Case in Point: Reorg Success Stories Let’s look at a few organizations that have successfully navigated reorgs by paying close attention to managerial spans: 1. Microsoft During Satya Nadella’s early tenure as CEO, Microsoft underwent a major organizational overhaul to break down silos and improve collaboration. A key part of the strategy was flattening the org , but not indiscriminately. Nadella emphasized “clarity of purpose” and invested heavily in leadership development to ensure managers were ready to handle broader spans only where appropriate. The result? Productivity rose, engagement improved, and innovation accelerated across product teams. 2. Procter & Gamble (P&G) P&G restructured in the early 2010s to reduce costs and improve agility. Rather than simply cutting layers, the company also reassessed manager-to-employee ratios by function. In areas like finance, where standard processes prevail, spans increased. In innovation and marketing roles, they were kept tight to preserve creativity and oversight. The tailored approach helped P&G maintain performance through a major shift. 3. Spotify Famous for its “squad” model, Spotify empowers small autonomous teams with clear leadership support. Managers, often called Chapter Leads, have limited spans to ensure close mentorship and skill development within specific technical domains. This model has supported Spotify’s growth while preserving agility and innovation. Practical Guidance for Leaders Planning a Reorg If your company is considering, or currently navigating, a reorganization, here are five evidence-based principles to keep in mind: 1. Start with the work, not the structure Begin by analyzing the actual tasks teams are responsible for. How complex is the work? How interdependent are the roles? What level of oversight is needed? Design the structure around the needs of the work, not arbitrary span targets. 2. Avoid flattening without a function Flattening layers can reduce costs, but it can also create chaos if not executed thoughtfully. Ensure that wider spans are matched with the right capabilities, tools, and cultural support. 3. Invest in manager readiness If you do decide to widen spans, ensure your managers are trained in time management, delegation, coaching, and the use of technology. Even experienced managers can falter without support. 4. Use data to monitor and adjust Keep track of KPIs like employee engagement, turnover, decision speed, and manager satisfaction post-reorg. These can provide early warning signs if spans are too wide or teams are struggling. 5. Communicate clearly and consistently Structural changes can breed uncertainty. Communicate not just what is changing, but why, and how it will improve the experience for both managers and their teams. Structure Should Enable Strategy A reorganization is not just a reshuffling of boxes on an org chart, it’s an opportunity to realign your workforce with your business goals. But even the most visionary strategy will falter if leaders are overwhelmed, disengaged, or unsupported. As the research shows, successful reorgs pay close attention to the human factor. Avoiding overly wide spans of control is not about bureaucracy; it’s about enabling leaders to lead .
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