L&D Happy Hour with Shannon Tipton and Brent Schlenker: Personality Tests—Insights and Hot Takes!

Grab your favorite frosty adult beverage, hit that subscribe button, and join Shannon Tipton and Brent Schlenker for another episode of the L&D Happy Hour. This time, it’s all about personality assessments—the good, the bad, and the downright problematic.

Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of personality assessments, uncovering their role in recruiting, corporate culture, and team-building. From DiSC and Myers-Briggs to their potential pitfalls, we’re asking the tough questions:

• Are personality assessments scientifically valid, or are they the corporate equivalent of horoscopes?
• How can assessments be misused to create stereotypes or fuel toxic workplace behaviors?
• When (if ever) do they add real value to hiring and coaching?

We also reflect on how automation, like AI-powered resume screening, has transformed the hiring process—not always for the better. With stories of frustrating recruitment practices, Shannon and Brent tackle the rise of ghosting, bait-and-switch job postings, and the erosion of humanity in human resources.

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! Shannon and Brent share practical advice on what good leadership, coaching, and team-building look like without relying on assessments as a crutch.

So grab your drink, tune in, and get ready to:

• Unpack the Barnum Effect and why personality tests feel oddly accurate (hint: it’s not magic).
• Discover why hiring processes often miss the mark.
• Explore alternative approaches to building strong teams without boxing people in.
• Get real about the challenges facing L&D professionals in today’s job market.

And because it wouldn’t be Happy Hour without the Happy, here are our Frosty Adult Beverage (FAB) picks:

• Shannon: Grilled Pineapple Margarita, well balanced with a hint of smoky sweetness. Recipe: https://boulderlocavore.com/grilled-pineapple-margarita/
• Brent: A classic Old Fashioned with a twist: infused with orange bitters for that extra zing.

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Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Brent Schlenker

Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions