Type-A All The Way

On the first day Pat Awada met with The Rake, she mentioned a behavioral analysis test she had taken in 2001, prior to an Eagan City Council retreat. Our writer was amused to be told about the test, but did not expect much more than that. Then, three days later, she arrived at her weekly deputies’ meeting with the results. She handed them to a secretary and asked for four copies: one for each deputy, and one for The Rake. When she placed a copy in writer Adam Minter’s hands, he stared at it, looked up at her, and instinctively asked, “Are you sure you want to give this to me?” Tony Sutton, Awada’s deputy for communications, looked like he was going to pass out. “It’s kind of fun,” she said with a carefree and confident shrug. “It’s me.”

“For me, this was one of the moments where I developed an understanding of Pat Awada’s character and confidence,” Minter says. “In the end, I think she comes down to this formidable confidence in herself. She really sees no reason why she should hide anything from someone trying to get to know her.”

An excerpt:

“Based on Pat’s responses, the report has generated behavioral statements to provide information on her natural behavior. That is, if left on her own, HOW WOULD SHE CHOOSE TO DO THE JOB. Use this information to gain a better understanding of Pat’s natural behavior.”

“Pat tends to have a ‘short fuse’ and can display anger or displeasure when she feels that people are taking advantage of her. She is forward-looking, aggressive and competitive. Her vision for results is one of her positive strengths. She enjoys authority, independence and the freedom that goes with her aggressive approach to problem solving. Some would see Pat as an initiator. She is a dominant, forceful and direct person who wants to be seen as an individualist. Pat embraces visions not always seen by others. Pat’s creative mind allows her to see the ‘big picture.’…

“Pat challenges people who volunteer their opinions. She tends to influence people by being direct, friendly and results-oriented. She likes people who give her options as compared to their opinions. The options may help her make decisions, and she values her own opinion over that of others! She likes people who present their case effectively…. She has the ability to ask the right questions and destroy a shallow idea. Some people may feel these questions are a personal attack upon their integrity; however, this is just her way of getting the appropriate facts.”