How to Read an Openmind Assessment Report for Self-Improvement
Introduction
An Openmind assessment report offers a unique perspective on personality by evaluating both your conscious, or explicit, responses and your subconscious, or implicit, responses. This dual approach uncovers subtle aspects of your personality, providing a comprehensive look at both how you see yourself and how your subconscious tendencies may influence your behavior.
This article will guide you on how to interpret your Openmind report for self-improvement. By understanding the interaction between implicit and explicit scores across the five major personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuro Balance), you can gain deeper self-awareness and identify actionable steps for personal growth.
Understanding the Basics of the Openmind Report
Openmind reports use the OCEAN model—Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuro Balance—to profile personality. For each trait, your report provides both an implicit and an explicit score. The implicit score reflects your subconscious, immediate reactions, while the explicit score reflects your considered, conscious responses. Each trait includes specific statements or behaviors that help gauge your alignment with different aspects of the trait.
Let’s break down the primary features of the report and discuss how to use them for self-improvement.
Key Scenarios in Openmind Reports: What Implicit and Explicit Differences Mean
The interaction between implicit and explicit scores can reveal important nuances in your personality. In Openmind reports, there are three key scenarios:
1. Higher Explicit Score than Implicit Score
What This Means: When your explicit score is higher, it shows that you consciously identify more strongly with a trait than your subconscious mind does. This gap may indicate that you aspire to embody the trait more than you naturally do.
Questions for Reflection:
Is this trait something I genuinely value, or am I motivated by external expectations?
What steps can I take to align my subconscious responses with my conscious values?
How might this trait, if improved, help me in achieving my personal or professional goals?
2. Higher Implicit Score than Explicit Score
What This Means: A higher implicit score suggests a stronger subconscious alignment with the trait than you might consciously acknowledge. This often points to underlying strengths or tendencies that you may overlook or undervalue.
Questions for Reflection:
What personal or professional scenarios bring out this trait in me?
Am I overlooking a valuable aspect of my personality that could be developed further?
How could embracing this trait improve my confidence or self-awareness?
3. Close Alignment Between Implicit and Explicit Scores
What This Means: When your implicit and explicit scores are similar, it indicates a congruent and harmonious perception of the trait. This suggests self-awareness and authentic alignment between your subconscious and conscious self.
Questions for Reflection:
What am I doing well in this area, and how can I build upon it?
How might I use this alignment to improve my relationships or work dynamics?
Analyzing Each OCEAN Trait for Self-Improvement
1. Openness to Experience
Openness measures your curiosity, creativity, and comfort with new ideas. In your report, you’ll see statements that relate to imagination, appreciation of art, emotional awareness, and willingness to try new things. Here’s how to interpret and act on your scores:
Higher Explicit Score: If you consciously see yourself as more open than your subconscious score reflects, it might be helpful to immerse yourself in new experiences gradually. For instance, set small goals to try new activities or explore unfamiliar ideas.
Higher Implicit Score: A high implicit score suggests that you’re naturally open, but you might hold back due to conscious concerns. Consider situations where you can embrace your openness without restraint, such as creative projects or collaborative brainstorming sessions.
Balanced Scores: When implicit and explicit scores are aligned, your openness is likely a consistent trait. Use this as an opportunity to mentor others in creativity and adaptability, or seek out environments that value innovation.
2. Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness reflects your level of organization, reliability, and work ethic. Your report may measure aspects like self-discipline, commitment, and thoroughness in decision-making.
Higher Explicit Score: If you consciously view yourself as more conscientious than your implicit responses show, examine if this is driven by external pressures or internal aspirations. Setting structured routines or accountability systems can help reinforce conscientious habits at a subconscious level.
Higher Implicit Score: If your implicit score is higher, it indicates a natural inclination toward discipline, even if you don’t consciously recognize it. Use this as motivation to refine organizational skills that align with your instincts.
Balanced Scores: When these scores are aligned, you likely feel in control of your time and responsibilities. To maximize this strength, consider complex tasks that require sustained focus, or leadership roles where your dependability can benefit others.
3. Extraversion
Extraversion measures your sociability, energy levels, and enthusiasm in social situations. Statements in this category may focus on your comfort with speaking your mind, creating a lively environment, and initiating conversations.
Higher Explicit Score: If your explicit score is higher, you may feel a desire to be more sociable than you instinctively are. To bridge this gap, start with smaller social interactions that build comfort, such as networking events or group projects.
Higher Implicit Score: A higher implicit score indicates that you’re naturally sociable, even if you don’t always act on it consciously. Try seeking more interactive settings where you can let this trait shine, like community events or team-building activities.
Balanced Scores: Aligned scores suggest that you’re consistently outgoing and find energy in social interactions. Use this alignment to take on roles that benefit from strong communication, like event organizing or public speaking.
4. Agreeableness
Agreeableness relates to empathy, cooperation, and harmony in relationships. Statements here may include sentiments about following rules, empathy, and trust.
Higher Explicit Score: If you consciously see yourself as more agreeable than your implicit score shows, explore what might be holding back this trait subconsciously. For example, practicing empathy-building exercises or reflecting on past experiences that may have influenced your implicit responses can be beneficial.
Higher Implicit Score: A higher implicit score suggests you have a natural tendency to be agreeable, even if you don’t always see it. Embrace this trait by actively seeking collaborative roles or volunteer opportunities where your empathy can make a difference.
Balanced Scores: When these scores are aligned, you’re likely attuned to others’ emotions and prioritize positive relationships. Consider using this strength to mediate conflicts, offer mentorship, or engage in roles that require a high degree of interpersonal skills.
5. Neuro Balance (Emotional Stability)
Neuro Balance gauges how you handle stress, including responses to anxiety and vulnerability. This trait captures how resilient and emotionally balanced you feel.
Higher Explicit Score: If you consciously see yourself as more emotionally stable than your implicit score reflects, explore potential triggers for underlying stress or anxiety. Practices like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy can help reinforce emotional stability on a subconscious level.
Higher Implicit Score: A higher implicit score suggests a natural emotional resilience that may not always be consciously recognized. Use this strength by challenging yourself in new environments or situations that may test emotional boundaries.
Balanced Scores: Aligned scores indicate a strong foundation of emotional resilience. To further this stability, consider leadership or mentorship roles that require a calming influence, as your balanced nature can be a steadying presence.
Practical Steps for Using Your Openmind Assessment to Improve Self-Awareness
Reflect on Each Trait: For each OCEAN trait, take time to consider whether your implicit and explicit scores align. Use the reflection questions provided in your report to deepen your understanding.
Set Personalized Goals: Identify areas where there are gaps between implicit and explicit scores. Set small, actionable goals that help bridge these gaps, such as mindfulness practices for Neuro Balance or setting creativity challenges for Openness.
Practice Self-Compassion: Recognize that personality development is an ongoing process. Avoid judgment and treat your assessment as a map for growth, not a measure of success or failure.
Seek Feedback from Your Coach: Often, others can provide insights into aspects of your personality you may overlook. Use feedback from your coach to understand how your personality is perceived and where your subconscious tendencies align with conscious actions.
Review Progress Over Time: Reassess periodically to see if you notice shifts in alignment between your implicit and explicit scores. This process can reinforce self-awareness and provide encouragement as you witness your growth.
Conclusion
Reading an Openmind assessment report isn’t just about understanding your personality—it’s a powerful tool for self-improvement. By examining the interplay between your implicit and explicit responses, you can uncover hidden strengths, address discrepancies, and enhance your self-awareness. Use this information to set goals that encourage personal growth, refine your interactions with others, and cultivate a life that aligns with both your conscious aspirations and subconscious tendencies.
Through ongoing reflection and action, the insights provided by Openmind can serve as a catalyst for building a more balanced, authentic version of yourself. With every step, you’re not only enhancing your self-awareness but also shaping a future that honors the full depth and complexity of your personality.