Business Quote by William H. Whyte
““But the process should not be confused with science. When tests are used as selections devices, they're not a neutral tool; they become a large factor int he very equation they purport to measure . For one thing, the tests tend to screen out - or repel - those who would upset the correlation. If a man can't get into the company in the first place because he isn't the company type, he can't very well get to be an executive and be tested in a study to find out what kind if profile subsequent executives should match. Long before personality tests were invented, of course, plenty of companies proved that if you only hire people of a certain type, then all your successful men will be people of that type. But no one confused this with the immutable laws of science.””
About This Quote
Tests used for selection bias outcomes, turning them into self‑fulfilling prophecies rather than objective measures.
In simple terms: Selection bias in testing
Key Takeaway
Tests shape the very traits they claim to assess
Themes
bias
measurement
organizational culture
self‑selection
science vs. practice
Mood
critical
skeptical
analytical
Type
advice
observation
When to use this quote
- hiring decisions
- leadership pipelines
- performance evaluations
- research design
Key Concepts
selection bias
feedback loops
culture fit
measurement validity
Practical Applications
- Design unbiased assessment tools
- Audit hiring criteria for hidden biases
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we differentiate a tool from a driver of outcomes?
- What safeguards prevent tests from becoming self‑fulfilling?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that structured tests can reduce subjectivity and improve fairness when properly validated.
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