THE OBSERVATIONAL METHOD 237
view; but once established in a position, he may be a loud
“knocker”, and his pushing may consist of trying to push
other people “off the map”. Preferring to be led and
wanting to lead are also two pretty and time-honored
distinctions, and very valuable ones when properly made.
However, there is nothing in a brief interview which will
justify making such a distinction. And a man’s own word
in this respect is the last thing to be trusted. Not many
men will acknowledge that they prefer to be led, and that
they are passive, or lack energy. Closely allied to these
items are those given under the head of activity, namely,
live wire, nervously quick, slow but steady, phlegmatic.
These descriptions are very commonly applied in daily
speech. But how is a live wire to be detected by mere observation?
Because a man jerks out his words, bites his
finger nails, keeps his hands and feet in constant motion,
and gives many similar signs, it may be proper to call him
a live wire or nervously quick. But the question which
such nice phrases do not answer is: How does this life and
nervous energy transform itself? Does it do work or does
it only expend itself in motion? Is it constant or is it only
flickering? Is it backed by ability, or is it only a mannerism,
an eccentricity? The same thing may be said
about the epithets slow but steady, and phlegmatic. An
applicant may have a slow but steady way of answering
questions and filling out an application form but he may
be a live wire when it comes to planning a shop layout, or
setting up an intricate machine. There are many workers
who give the appearance of being very phlegmatic who
produce an uncanny amount of work. The saying that
still waters run deep applies to men in the employment
office as well as elsewhere. The quality of being a good
mixer is one which is most uncertain. Human relation
