Sun Tzu clearly expresses the importance of knowing your enemy. Every new person that you meet is a potential friend or foe. No matter how peacefully you try to live your life, no one avoids conflict altogether. Almost all of us have had the experience of believing in someone only to find out later that person was not trustworthy. Noted investigative journalist Dan Korem provides a way to answer the question, who can I trust? Korem has developed a systematic, scientific profiling system based upon behavioral science academic research and practical application by the FBI.
Profiling has applications in the following areas:
- Hiring Personnel
- Managing teams
- Negotiating
- Selling
- Sharpening communication skills
- Teaching
- Consulting
- Conflict Resolution
- Detecting Deception
- Nurture and Discipline of children
Korem’s system enables FBI profilers to obtain amazingly accurate profiles in a matter of minutes. With some knowledge and practice, you too will be able to make some high percentage assumptions about a person’s preference with regard to communication, performance of the job and decision making. Essentially, there are four questions asked and answered about the person profiled.
Four Questions
Does this person express or control her emotions? The answer will enable you to discover the manner in which the person communicates. The person will either tend to control or express. It is important to note that within this question there are both negative and positive components as well as a matter of degree. For example, the character Spock in Star Trek would occupy the very extreme end of the spectrum for positive control. Actor Robin Williams would be on the other end. Most people will be positioned somewhere in between these extremes, or on the negative side. Adolph Hitler is an extreme example at the negative end of the express trait. Derrick Bird is case in point of a very quiet man with an extreme negative control trait.
Does this person tell others what he thinks, or does he prefer to be more indirect and ask others what they think first. The essence of this question is whether she prefers to dominate the conversation. An example of a positive (Ask) trait would be Mr. Miyagi of Karate Kid fame and a positive tell trait might be either Rush Limbaugh or Geraldo Rivera, according to your political persuasion. It is almost impossible to think of a famous person with the extreme negative dimension of the (Ask) trait, as these people do not distinguish themselves. On the negative end of the (Tell) characteristic is cult leader David Koresh.
Is the person confident or fearful? Generally, people who act out of confidence believe that they can influence events and circumstances in their lives. On the other hand, people who operate out of fear assume that most life events are out of their control. They do not take responsibility for the things that happen to them. One should note that operating at low levels of fear can be positive, for example, the driver who is very cautious. However, there are no positive examples of people operating from the extreme end of the fear continuum. Intense fear leads to paranoia.
Are the person’s actions typically predictable (conventional) or unpredictable (unconventional)? Queen Elizabeth II would be plotted on the extreme end of the positive predictable scale, while Albert Einstein would be on the unpredictable positive side. Einstein would frequently forget to wear socks, comb his hair, etc. An example of the negative predictable person is the entrenched bureaucrat who will not consider positive change. Reckless cult leaders are always negative predictable.
Random Actor
A person who is both extremely fearful and unpredictable is said to be a random actor. All serial or mass murders share this profile. The examples listed above: Adolph Hitler, Derrick Byrd, and David Koresh were all random actors.
Obviously, I have only skimmed the surface of profiling. In order to develop profiling skills you will need more knowledge and practice. If you are interested in learning more about profiling, I recommend that you read the Art of Profiling by Dan Korem.
Sources
Dan Korem, The Art of Profiling, Richardson, TX, International Focus Press, 1997
Lance Morton - Lance Morton is a writer, hypnotists, personal fitness trainer, and the author of Mentally Create your Ideal Weight.
