Personality characteristics are usually fixed, unchangeable characteristics by adulthood. Although personality measures are commonly utilized in pre-employment screening for sales, little evidence suggests they are predictive of future success. The personality is the source of the motivation and drive for selling and is predictive of a selling style, but it does not determine a successful career in sales. How a personality converts to action (sales) is better predicted from the situation in which it operates.
Situations cover a broad range of topics surrounding and influencing the individual. Unlike personality characteristics, which are usually fixed, situations may vary and change overtime. Here factors concerning the ability of the candidate are examined as well as external influences effecting or influencing a particular course of action.
Action or behavior is based upon a personality responding to a situation, the interaction. It is from the interactions that determinations of potential for success and failure are derived.