How do you predict athletic performance? Researchers (Gee, Marshall, & King, 2010) tackled this question as they investigated the mental predictors of hockey performance. They administered a personality measure, SportsPro, to 124 NHL draftees in 1991, and then tracked their performance over the next 15 years.
It was found that competitiveness, need for achievement, independence potential, self-confidence, and coachability predicted number of goals, assists, and total points.
Though unproven, it is suspected that these mental characteristics predict performance in other domains, such as business. If so, organizations and human resource professionals may have another tool to use when making hiring decisions.
Gee, C. J., Marshall, J. C., & King, J. F. (2010). Should coaches use personality assessments in the talent identification process? A 15 year predictive study on professional hockey players. International Journal of Coaching Science, 4(1), 1-10.
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