Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ is grouped into four sections:
SDI and Theory
Personal Strengths Policies
Certified Facilitators
Online Facilitation System
SDI AND THEORY
What makes the SDI unique? What differentiates the SDI from other assessments?
What makes a motivational assessment more powerful than a behavioral assessment?
What is a Motivational Value System?
What is a Valued Relating Style?
Why are there three stages of conflict? What is a conflict sequence?
What is the difference between a "Borrowed" and a "Masked" Relating Style?
Why does the SDI use a triangle to chart the scores?
What does the arrow symbolize?
Do you provide research support?
How does the MBTI correlate to the SDI?
What makes the SDI unique? What differentiates the SDI from other assessments?
The SDI is unique because it is a motivational assessment tool as opposed to being a behavioral assessment. The SDI goes below the surface of the behaviors into the motivations and the values that underlie and influence those behaviors. By understanding what motivates us in our lives to do the things we do, we can better manage our behaviors, and in turn, our relationships with others. Additionally, the SDI integrates going-well and conflict motivations into one easy-to-administer tool that has immediate and lasting results. For more about the benefits of SDI...
What makes a motivational assessment more powerful than a behavioral assessment?
By understanding what motivates us in our lives to do the things we do, we can better manage our behaviors, and thus our relationships with others. Therefore we are not simply changing our behaviors without knowing why. Once we understand what it is that we truly value in life, that is, what motivates us, we are better able to choose actions that will support and satisfy those motives. Additionally, we come to understand what motivates others, allowing us to be sensitive to the needs of their motives and values.
As a relationship building tool the SDI is used in a great variety of settings with a number of different groups of people. The SDI has been used in corporate settings for team building, conflict management, leadership development, change management, organizational development, and communication enhancement. It has also been used successfully with welfare-to-work populations, in workforce development, and with at-risk youth. It can be used in one-on-one counseling, with teams or groups, or even across the entire organization. More information on applications of the SDI here...
Can the SDI, or any of the Relationship Awareness Tools, be used as selection tools? Does Personal Strengths Publishing offer any selection tools?
The SDI is NOT a selection tool and should not be used as one. Personal Strengths Publishing does not currently offer a selection tool. Because of the nature of Relationship Awareness theory and tools, Personal Strengths Publishing does not foresee offering any selection tools in the near future. It would be too easy for participants to "fix" their scores so that they appeared as they believed the position or job required them to be. Furthermore, there is really no statistical correlation between one's Motivational Value System and the type of work that they enjoy or are effective at. For example, we often find that a person with high "Red" scores may be very effective and very happy with a "Green," "Blue," or "Hub" position. For more on this topic...
How should the SDI and it’s supplemental inventories be utilized in performance appraisals and promotions?
We know that people do use the SDI Expectations Edition® as part of performance appraisal systems when the systems include looking forward and talking about how people will relate during the upcoming performance cycle.
We also know that people are aware of individual's SDI results when they make decisions about positions within the organization. In the US, it is important to document the basis of the decisions - and be sure that the basis is not inappropriate. The SDI and all other inventories we publish are inappropriate basis for personnel decision because they do not meet the criteria for selection instruments. (criteria include such things as: non-loading questions, lie-detector questions, etc.)
What is meant by a Motivational Value System?
A Motivational Value System, or MVS, is the Relationship Awareness Theory term for the motives and values that underlie our behaviors. Relationship Awareness theory holds that we all do what we do in order to feel good about ourselves, that is, we act in order to satisfy the needs of our MVS. In Relationship Awareness it is implied that all people value logic (green) and people (blue) and results (red), to some degree and with differing priorities. By taking every possible combination of prioritizing these three values (some people value one most, others value two of these equally, and still others value all three equally), one can derive the 7 MVSs. In completing the SDI we come to know exactly how we, and others who have taken the instrument, prioritize logic, people, and action. In knowing what we value most, we know what motivates us to behave the way we do, and we are thus better able to choose our actions so that they bring about the results we desire while being congruent with our MVS. For more on MVS and the Theory...
What is a Valued Relating Style?
A Valued Relating Style, or VRS, is the set of behaviors that we choose. These behaviors need to satisfy the priorities set by our MVS. We all act in accommodating and assertive and analytic ways, just with differing frequencies and intensities and often depending on the situation. One's VRS does not have to exactly match one's MVS. For example, a person with an Altruistic-Nurturing MVS may frequently choose an assertive VRS, if they felt that that way of relating is what would help the other person(s) the most. In many cases, however, each MVS has a VRS that is characteristic of it. For instance, Assertive-Directing people may be more likely to speak in short, direct sentences, whereas Analytic-Autonomizing people might speak more slowly, thinking about the perfect phrasing for each thought. Altruistic-Nurturing people may tend to listen with an empathetic ear and when speaking may speak in a supportive tone. These of course are broad generalities; each individual uses his or her own unique VRS to represent their own MVS. Relationship Awareness theory allows for all people to choose their VRS based on what they feel would be best in meeting the needs of their own MVS in any situation.
Why are there three stages of conflict? What is a conflict sequence?
In the first stage of conflict, an individual focuses on three factors-the other person, the problem, and their self. In the second stage, the other person is no longer of concern to the person experiencing the conflict. In this stage only the problem and their own self worth are of concern to the person experiencing the conflict. (Note that the other person need not be experiencing any conflict in order to no longer matter to the one who is!) In the third stage of conflict, the person experiencing the conflict no longer cares about the other person or the problem. All that is of concern to a person in the third stage of conflict is their own self-preservation. Stage three is thus a "do whatever is necessary to save myself" phenomenon.
In developing Relationship Awareness theory, Dr. Porter noticed that time and again people progressed through what appeared to be a distinct sequence of stages when faced with conflict or opposition. Therefore, unlike the MVSs, the stages of conflict were thus deduced from the data available during the development of the theory.
What is the difference between a "Borrowed" and a "Masked" Relating Style?
A borrowed relating style is chosen by the person in order to meet the needs of their own MVS. It is a conscious choice on the part of the individual to use a style of relating that they are not normally comfortable with in order to create a desirable outcome. Thus a person who is very Analytic-Autonomizing may choose to be very accommodating or very assertive or very flexible if they felt that doing so would bring about the most fair and logical outcome. A Mask, on the other hand, is used by the individual to merely get that person through a situation without generating a desirable outcome. For example, a very Analytic-Autonomizing person who works in a high-paced, demanding environment, where decisions need to be made on the fly without time to consider the fairness, or the logical consequences of those actions, may over time develop a mask, whereby he or she begins to take on the behavioral traits necessary to succeed in that environment. Even though they may be "successful" in terms of performing the functions of their job, they will also experience stress or a type of cognitive dissonance that, over time, may wear them out because they are constantly acting in opposition to the needs of their own MVS.
Why does the SDI use a triangle to chart the scores?
SDI scores are charted on a triangle because there are three scales that comprise the SDI. A triangle is needed to depict the intersection of those three scales, and thus provide a visual representation of an individual's MVS and conflict sequence.
Some benefits of using the triangle include being able to visualize individuals and teams, graphical depiction of changes in going-well and conflict states, and the ability to analyze group dynamics.
What does the arrow symbolize?
The arrow is a graphical depiction of three key points in the theory. First, it shows where the individual is "at" when things are going well, second, where that same individual "goes" when he or she experiences conflict or opposition, and finally the magnitude of the change in that person when they go from their well state to their conflict state.
The starting point of the arrow, the dot, shows what that person's MVS is when things are going well.
The head of the arrow shows that person's conflict sequence.
The length of the arrow shows the difference between that person's going-well state (MVS) and Stage 1 conflict. The longer the arrow, the more noticeable will be that person's change when a conflict occurs.
Do you provide research support?
Personal Strengths Publishing (PSP) provides research support to teams, organizations, or individuals for worthwhile, high quality research. The intent is to maintain and / or broaden the existing knowledge about theories relating to motivational values, the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) or tools based on the SDI, and other concepts connected to PSP’s business. More information is available here…
PERSONAL STRENGTHS POLICIES
What is your certification policy?
What is the workshop cancellation policy?
What is the workshop reschedule policy?
What kind of guarantee is offered on product purchases?
How are international orders handled?
What are your copyright and trademark policies?
What is your certification policy?
To help ensure the complete, accurate and ethical use of the Strength Deployment Inventory and other Relationship Awareness tools, Personal Strengths Publishing requires that facilitators be certified. Certain products are restricted for purchase based on level of certification.
What is your workshop cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be received in writing or by email 10 business days prior to the start of the workshop, and are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations after the 10-day cutoff and no-shows will forfeit 50% of the registration fee.
What is your workshop reschedule policy?
You may reschedule to a future workshop or send someone to take your place at no additional charge one time only but you must notify Personal Strengths in writing or email 10 business days prior to the start of the workshop, providing the registration has been paid in full. If the registration has not been paid in full, then full payment is required before a date transfer can be made. If you reschedule after the 10-day cutoff or have subsequent transfers, you will be subject to a $100 fee for each instance.
What kind of guarantee is offered on product purchases?
WORKSHOPS: All Personal Strengths workshops come with a money-back, satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t find value in attending our workshop, we’ll gladly refund your full course registration fee.
PRODUCTS: If you are not satisfied for any reason, you may return the product for a refund. See our full Return Policy below.
If you are not satisfied for any reason, return the product to us in resalable condition within 30 days for a full credit or refund, net of applicable shipping charges. Returns received after 30 days are subject to a 15% restocking fee. Credits or refunds will be made promptly upon receipt of the materials. Returns will not be accepted after 1 year.
If you are returning product by mail, please use our mailing address: Personal Strengths, P.O. Box 2605, Carlsbad, CA 92018.
If you are returning product by UPS, FedEx, Airborne, etc, please use our physical address: Personal Strengths, 1946 Kellogg Avenue, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA.
Shipments are made FOB Carlsbad , CA 92008 , USA . If a shipping method is not specified, we will ship your order via ground service. Most orders are shipped the same day they are received. Materials may not be shipped to a post office box; please provide a street address.
Invoice terms are net 30 days. Invoices will be issued on the day materials are shipped. For credit card orders, the card will be charged on the day the materials are shipped. A 1% per month finance charge will be applied to all past due invoices, minimum monthly finance charge is $5.00. Personal Strengths reserves the right to withhold new shipments when an account is past-due.
How are international orders handled?
First time orders from outside the US must be pre-paid. We will select the most appropriate shipping method based on the date delivery is required and add shipping charges accordingly. Customs and other fees may be assessed by government or other agencies. These charges are the sole responsibility of the customer. Orders received from a territory where Personal Strengths Publishing has a distributor will be referred to that distributor. Distributors may have different pricing and policies. A list of distributor offices is available here…
What are your copyright and trademark policies?
Publications, trademarks and trade names are the intellectual property of Personal Strengths Publishing®, Inc. and may not be reproduced or adapted in any way without the express written consent of Personal Strengths Publishing. Each of our publications is protected by international copyright law with all rights reserved. Trademarks and trade names are registered internationally and may not be used without the express written consent of Personal Strengths Publishing, Inc. We offer a reward for any information leading to recovery of damages due to copyright violation. For ease of reading, the copyright symbol ©, registration symbol ® and marketing symbol ™ sometimes are omitted. More information is available here…
We don’t share your account information with anyone without your consent. You may choose to receive or not receive any type of correspondence from us. Our full privacy policy statement is available here…
CERTIFIED FACILITATORS
How do I become a “Master” Facilitator?
What is your certification policy?
What is the correct way to identify the SDI in my own sales efforts?
Can I use the Personal Strengths logo in my own sales efforts?
"Qualification" is the previous name given to what is now Level 1 Certification, the first step in our Certification Process and a requirement to becoming authorized to administer and purchase our SDI self-assessment instruments.
The most popular route to Certification is to attend one of Personal Strengths's two-day workshops offered throughout the world. In addition to becoming Level 1 Certified, attendees gain useful insights into how to get the most out of Relationship Awareness tools, learn which tools to use in what situations, explore in-depth theory information, make new contacts and friends, and enjoy a competitive advantage.
"Certification" is our two-step process for learning to facilitate the full suite of SDI assessments. Level 1 Certification provides access to our self-assessment instruments. Level 2 Certification is an advanced 2-day course that dives deeper into Relationship Awareness and gives you access to our SDI feedback and expectations instruments. Level 2 includes benefits such as special pricing, personal and professional development, as well as the possibility of referral business from Personal Strengths.
How do I become a “Master” Facilitator?
There are a few steps to becoming a master facilitator within your client organization. For full details, click here.
What is your certification policy?
To help ensure the complete, accurate and ethical use of the Strength Deployment Inventory and other Relationship Awareness tools, Personal Strengths Publishing requires that facilitators be certified. Certain products are restricted for purchase based on level of certification.
Does PSP offer training services if I need a co-facilitator, someone to fill in for me, or if I just don't have the time to become certified?
Yes, PSP has a training services division. We like to place Master Trainers or Level 2 Certified Trainers into training opportunities. At a minimum, we feel we can "back" our trainers if they have been through the full Certification process. Give us a call should the need come up.
What is the correct way to identify the SDI in my own sales efforts?
Many of our products and concepts are registered trademarks and require markings when used in typewritten form. Both Strength Deployment Inventory® and SDI® are registered and must include the symbol. For advise on marketing the SDI, click here...
Can I use the Personal Strengths logo in my own sales efforts?
We reserve exclusive right to the three-color triangle logo and do not give other people permission to market their services under our logo. You may use SDI® and indicate that it is a registered trademark of Personal Strengths Publishing. And you can say that you are a certified Relationship Awareness® Facilitator or certified to administer the Strength Deployment Inventory®. Any trademark used must be acknowledged. For a complete list of trademarks, click here.
ONLINE FACILITATION SYSTEM
The following questions pertain to OnlineSDI.com…
Am I required to license both the OnlineSDI.com and the SDI Facilitation Software?
How can I send a report electronically?
What are the technology requirements to use OnlineSDI.com?
How will I be billed for online assessments?
Are there any ongoing fees associated with using the OnlineSDI.com system?
The following questions pertain to the local SDI Facilitator Software application…
Am I able to load the software on multiple computers?
Can I share my data files with other users?
How can I send a report electronically?
I am a registered user of version 1.5, will I be able to access my old data?
Am I required to license both the OnlineSDI.com and the SDI Facilitation Software?
This depends on how you intend to use the electronic facilitation tools. If you do not foresee using electronic versions of the assessments and you are the only facilitator who will be accessing the software, then you can most likely get by with only purchasing the SDI Facilitation Software. By licensing the OnlineSDI.com system you will also receive the local SDI Faciltiation Software. Even if you plan on not renewing your online access you are able to continue to use the local software.
How can I send a report electronically?
All reports generated in the onlineSDI site are automatically created as a pdf. Once the report has been generated you can choose to save the pdf as a file, email it as an attachment, or print it.
What are the technology requirements to use OnlineSDI.com?
The OnlineSDI.com site is a hosted, web-based system. The only thing you need in order to use the system is a compatable web browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox for Windows and MAC). The site has been designed at 1024x768 resolution to create the best possible experience for the facilitator. It will function on a lower resolution, but it is recommended that your desktop resolution be changed.
How will I be billed for online assessments?
Online assessments are billed per use at the end of each month. A usage report is generated showing each assessment that was completed for every session. This eliminates the need to pre-buy assessments.
Are there any ongoing fees associated with using the OnlineSDI.com system?
At this time there are no ongoing fees associated with the licensing of the OnlineSDI.com system. The facilitator is responsible to pay for any fees resulting from the completion of assessments online. There is no fee to enter results from purchased paper assessments.
Am I able to load the software on multiple computers?
With the introduction of Version 2.0 of the software you are now able to load and register the SDI Facilitation Software on up to 3 computers. Each time you load the software you will be required to register it over the Internet.
Can I share my data files with other users?
The SDI Facilitation software is designed to be a training tool for facilitators to use during their workshops or presentations. The data is not designed to be shared between multiple computers. If you have results you need from either other facilitators or OnlineSDI.com assessments, this data will need to be entered again in your local software.
How can I send a report electronically?
To send a report electronically using the local software you are required to purchase third-party software allowing you to generate .pdf files. You can find many resources, both free and for a fee on the website, do a search for "pdf" to find yours.
I am a registered user of version 1.5, will I be able to access my old data?
Yes. The new software will install into a different directory than your existing software. In order to have your existing data in your software follow these easy steps:
- Navigate to the old data files (usually located in C:\Program Files\Personal Strengths Publishing\Relationship Awareness Facilitation\pspdata);
- Copy all of the files in the pspdata folder;
- Navigate to the new data folder (usually located in C:\Program Files\Personal Strengths\SDI Facilitator\pspdata);
- Paste your old files into the new pspdata folder;
- Start the new software, your old data should now be in the new software.
If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us. 760-602-0086
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