2 Things We Cannot Teach Employees: Judgment and Personality Development

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagleyspecialized training, seminars or one-on-one help).
We can teach people a lot of things, but therePersonality development is driven not by
are two things we cannot teach people, potentialprofessional growth but by personal growth.
hires or employeesjudgment and personalityThis is why it is so difficult to take a bigoted
development.person and change his or her attitude about racial
Judgment is an interesting trait because the onlyissues. A bigoted man may well be as prejudiced
way you can acquire judgment is by makingon the day he dies as the day he decided to look
judgments. Unfortunately, in the reality of life,down on someone or question their ability
some people simply have better judgment thanbecause of the color of their skin.
others.Personal growth is 100 times more difficult to
If you think the bank and financial lenders at theachieve than professional growth because it
biggest companies in the United States alwaysrequires that you not only learn or become aware
have good judgment, you are dead wrong. Theirof new information, but that you also willingly
judgment can be terrible. Look at the recentchange your thought process and belief system.
subprime lending that was fueled by greed ratherPeople CAN change but most people choose not
than good judgment. Just because the CEO of ato.
company makes more judgments (or decisions), itA man convinced against his will is of the same
does not mean that he or she makes goodopinion still. A woman convinced against her will is
judgments (or decisions). People either have goodof the same opinion still.
judgment or they DO NOT, just as you areThe next two sentences are very important to
pregnant or not pregnant; there is no in-between.know and understand: When we blame others,
Remember, too, that there can be a hugewe give up our ability to change. If you lack the
difference between having good judgment andwill for change, there is no one who can show
being judgmental. Sometimes it is hard to forgetyou the way (that includes Jesus Christ himself).
your past. People can be judgmental aboutYou will rise higher faster by achieving more
someone else's ideas or opinions when theirpersonal growth than professional growth. Many
credibility is not on the line, but change like apotential hires and employees have enough
chameleon when THEY are responsible for makingeducation to become successful. Many can also
a judgment.handle any necessary training required to become
Personality development cannot be taughtsuccessful. Few, however, manage to achieve
because it is not driven by professionalmore personal growth than professional growth
development (adding more college degrees,and remain stuck in their current position.