The dark side of personality, measured by the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), consists of qualities that emerge in times of increased strain. Left unchecked, these can disrupt relationships, damage reputations, and derail people’s chances of success. By assessing dark-side personality, you can recognize and mitigate performance risks before they become a problem.

When the pressure’s on, the line between strength and weakness isn’t always clear — drive becomes ruthless ambition, and attention to detail becomes micromanaging. The dark side of personality derails careers and companies, but it doesn’t have to. Organizations around the world rely on the HDS to identify derailers that disrupt or interfere with effective performance.


Grounded in more than 20 years of validated research

Available in more than 40 languages

Assess participants in the language they're most comfortable with

15- to 20-minute completion time

Give participants a positive assessment experience

No adverse impact

Improve diversity with unbiased assessment data

Get instantaneous scoring and reporting output

Stop waiting for the data you need

Uncover weaknesses

Identify potential problematic behaviors before they cause problems

Assess with confidence

Validated for use in more than 400 research studies

Dive into the Dark Side

The Hogan Development Survey is a proven assessment tool that uses 11 personality scales and 33 subscales to help leaders recognize shortcomings, maximize strengths, and build successful teams.

Scale
Score
Interpretation
Excitable

seem calm to the point of appearing to lack passion or urgency

display dramatic emotional peaks and valleys regarding people and projects

Skeptical

seem trusting to the point of naïveté

are negative or cynical and expect to be betrayed

Cautious

are willing to take risks without adequate risk assessment

are reluctant to take risks, regardless of risk assessment

Reserved

are too concerned about the feelings of others

are indifferent to the feelings of others

Leisurely

appear to lack an agenda or direction

are passive-aggressive and agenda driven

Bold

appear to lack self-confidence and resolve

seem assertive, self-promoting, and overly self-confident

Mischievous

are conservative, compliant, and likely unadventurous

are impulsive, limit testing, and at times, devious

Colorful

are modest, unassuming, quiet, and self-restrained

are attention-seeking, dramatic, and socially prominent

Imaginative

are practical, rely on routine, and often lack new ideas

may seem impractical, unpredictable, and offer unusual ideas

Diligent

have poor attention to detail and tend to over delegate

may be inclined to micromanage

Dutiful

are overly independent and seem to resent authority

are excessively eager to please superiors