4). Below are arguments and explanations from different researchers on how personality predicts employee performance. This essay will explore both negative and positive ways in which personality can predict performance, and explain what personality is. Previous research has “demonstrated that personality constructs are associated with job performance, with certain traits like conscientiousness predicting job success.” Others, linked to specific professions, for example extroversion, correlate with success in sales and management as well as with performance-enhancing training” (Barrick et al., 2002, 87: p. 43). Different people describe the word “personality” differently. Martin et al. (2010, p.610) describes personality as “a particular pattern of behavior and thinking that prevails across time and situations, and that differentiates one person from another.” According to Mullins and Christy (2013, p.136), they explain that personality can be seen as “consisting of stable characteristics that explain why an individual behaves in a certain way. Independence, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and self-control are all examples of personality characteristics.” Mullins and Christy (2013, p.136) further explain that we can only identify and understand a person's personality by listening, watching and observing them. For example, an independent person may exhibit characteristics of independence by demonstrating a strong sense of self-sufficiency. This individual would be expected to be untrustworthy to other people around them and if this is established, it can confirm that this characteristic is an integral part of the person's behavior. Individuals are therefore generally consistent in the way they react to situations. In...... middle of paper ......n, J. (2000). Personality and job performance: Journal of Applied Psychology, vol.85, 869-879.Judge, TA, Locke EA, (1993). Effect of dysfunctional thought processes on subjective well-being and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 475-490.Judge, TA, Higgins, CA, Thoresen, CJ, & Barrick, MR (1999). The big five personality traits, general metal ability, and lifelong career success. Personnel Psychology, 52, 621-652. Luthans, F. and Youssef, CM 'Emerging Positive Organizational Behavior', Journal of management, vol.5 no.3 June 2007 pp. 321-49. Martin, GN, Carson, NR, Buskist, W. (2010). Psychology. (4th ed.). Harlow: Allyn and BaconMullins, LJ and Christy. (2013). Management and organizational behavior. (10th ed.). Harlow: Pearson. Robertson, L. “Excessive diligence”, People Management, n°22, November 2001, pp.. 42-3.