Our series on assessments continues this month with a lesser-known assessment that is nevertheless beloved by some who use it, the Birkman Method. The Birkman Method was developed over 50 years ago by a former World War II pilot who wanted to find a useful psychological instrument for pilot selection. The Birkman Method has undergone multiple revisions, and it is now used for team building, executive coaching, leadership development, career choice, and interpersonal conflict resolution.
This is the fifth in the Insights series on assessments. For an index of assessments already reviewed and a list of assessments yet to be described, see the end of this article.
Assessment: The Birkman Method
Description: The Birkman Method is a 298-question personality assessment that measures social expectations, self-concept, interests, and stress behavior in one instrument. It indicates five perspectives on an individual:
- Interests – a person’s expressed interests in job titles
- Usual behavior – a person’s behavioral style with respect to relationships and tasks
- Underlying needs – an individual’s expectations for relationships and social situations that are needed to be successful
- Stress behaviors – a person’s ineffective style of dealing with relationships or tasks when needs are not met
- Organizational Focus – the perspective in which the person views problems and solutions relating to organizational goals
The Birkman Method assesses eleven components. Some of these components involve esteem, how the person relates to individuals, how the person relates to groups, the person’s approach to systems and procedures, etc.
Certification: Training is required to become a Birkman Certified Consultant. Only a Birkman Certified Consultant may administer the Birkman Method.
However, a Coaching Report was introduced in 2006 and gives executive coaches and human resource professionals a tool based on the Birkman Method. The Coaching Report can be used by coaches without specific training and is easily understood by their coachees. It is written in plain English and does not require special knowledge of the scales and measurements. To learn more about the Coaching Report, contact sales@birkman.com.
Cost of Training/Certification:
There are two options to become a Birkman Certified Consultant:
Option 1 – Four-day workshop - $3295
Option 2 – Two-day workshop + on-line prework - $3095
Cost of Instrument:
The Birkman Method has several price points for on-line use of the Birkman Method. Pricing depends on how the requesting party will use the assessment. For additional fees, Birkman International also offers paper and pencil services for those without access to a computer and the Internet. Contact Birkman International, Inc. at sales@birkman.com for pricing specific to your requirements.
Other Information:
More information is available at http://birkman.com/
Assessments Previously Reviewed in Insights:
Assessments to Be Reviewed in Future Issues:
Personal Style Indicator, Peoplemap, Real Colors, MAPP, OSI Polaris 360, Cerny Smith Adjustment Index, and Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.
 Glenn Stevenson. Ph.D., is a life coach and career transition coach who specializes in self-confidence, relationships coaching, and helping people find the work that they love. He specializes in people’s sense of self and their finding satisfaction in who they are and what they do. He may be contacted at glenn@myselfsense.com, 714-468-9963, www.myselfsense.com.
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