develop these characteristics and make them part of your personality profile. Effective personal characteristics include concern for achievement, analytical problem solving, interpersonal aware- ness, initiative, persistence, and assertiveness. CONCERN FOR ACHIEVEMENT. —If you have  concern  for  achievement,  you  seek  new challenges and work to reach higher levels of accomplishment. Four traits show you have a concern for achievement: Taking on new challenges with enthusiasm Trying to persuade your work center or division to outperform others or to exceed the set standard Assessing the work center’s level of per- formance using comparative measures Feeling frustrated when situations or other people prevent you from completing your assigned task in a timely and effective manner ANALYTICAL PROBLEM SOLVING.  — Analytical  problem  solving  involves  analyzing complex situations and evaluating information to choose the best solution to a problem. The follow- ing are some traits you will exhibit when using analytical problem solving: • • • • Identifying the causes or central issues involved in a problem Weighing the pros and cons of each alter- native course of action Drawing inferences and seeing the implica- tions of problems and solutions Relating present situations to similar past experiences INTERPERSONAL AWARENESS. —When dealing with subordinates with whom you have problems, try to anticipate their behavior before deciding on a course of action. Anticipating their behavior requires a sense of interpersonal awareness through which you gain insight into what is causing the behavior. The following traits show that you have a keen sense of interpersonal awareness: • Thinking about the impact of your actions or the actions of other people • Trying to assess the motives or perspectives of other people INITIATIVE. —Taking the initiative means you are a self-starter who sees problems and takes action to correct them without being told. If needed, you take action to make changes in work center operations. You don’t hesitate to investigate and tackle difficult situations. The following are some other traits that show you have initiative: • Searching  out  information  needed  to accomplish tasks or make decisions • Developing new plans, procedures, or systems • Taking calculated risks • Taking an active role in critical situations and exhibiting the pacesetter style of leadership when required PERSISTENCE.  —You  show  persistence when you expend extraordinary effort to complete a task or overcome an obstacle. You usually get your own way by showing persistence because people become tired of listening to you and will do anything to help solve your problem. The following  traits  show  you  are  a  person  with persistence: • • • Doing  whatever  is  ethically  needed  to complete a job Taking repeated action to overcome obstacles and ensure your goals are met Making yourself and your subordinates available^- to work the hours needed to accomplish your goals ASSERTIVENESS. —When you show assertive- ness, you confront issues directly and insist others recognize your place in the chain of command. You do not become emotionally involved in stressful  situations  and  show  restraint  when required. The following traits indicate you are a person with assertiveness: • • Addressing key issues and conflicts you have with other people Acting forcefully and with confidence when you are dealing with superiors or peers 3-20