Strong Interest Inventory®: Person - Environment Fit, Part V

One of the foundations underlying the Strong is the idea that both people and environments can be sorted into six primary areas. While it's true that most jobs and people are more complex than a single category, it's likely the case that one of the six environmental types is dominant in a workplace. The concept is that the more closely a person's personality matches his or her work environment, the more likely that person is to enjoy a career, stay in a job, or persist in developing a career.

This issue we'll examine how this interaction works with Enterprising environments and people.

Enterprising people usually enjoy persuading, directing, or manipulating others. They value material possessions and social status. Enterprising types can see themselves as sales or persuasive abilities, but lacking scientific abilities. Others see them as energetic and gregarious. Enterprising people tend to avoid intellectual, scientific, or esoteric topics and fields.

As with the other scales, Enterprising jobs require many of the same skills. For example, persuasion or manipulation skills are often necessary. The pursuit of financial or material wealth, dominance, and self-confidence are usually rewarded or expected in Enterprising jobs. These jobs frequently involve selling, leading, or directing others towards the organization's or the leader's goals. The personal style in Enterprising jobs is often acquisitive or power-oriented, and involves personal responsibility.

Examples of Enterprising jobs include retail store manager, athletic director, Chamber of Commerce executive, sports reporter, traveling salesperson, and personnel director.