consortiums

PROJECT 4

SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION

William H. Turnley
Kansas State University

Proposed Grant $59,271

Abstract:
The next generation of warships is expected to require fewer than half of the crewmembers required by ships in the current fleet. In addition, as more and more work is done in a team environment, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to possess not only technical skills, but social skills as well. Thus, the Navy is expanding its selection and evaluation criteria to include not only an individual's

cognitive ability and technical qualifications, but his or her personality and teamwork skills as well. One characteristic, in particular, that has recently attracted attention is the concept of social intelligence. While social intelligence has been investigated in several ways, one of the most developed research streams in this area examines the personality characteristic of self-monitoring. However, while prior research suggests that high self-monitors are more likely to be successful in organizations, our understanding of why this is the case remains somewhat speculative. Recently, Turnley and Bolino (JAP, forthcoming) suggested that because high self-monitors are more attuned to the social cues given off by their co-workers, they are better at adapting their behaviors to create the image they desire. Thus, that study suggests that high self-monitors are more successful in groups because they more effectively manage the impressions they create among their peers. This ability may also help the group, as a whole, to function more effectively and may help to reduce group conflict. The research projects proposed here seek to examine the impact of social intelligence and impression management on perceived leadership potential and group cohesiveness.