Finding better raters: The role of observer personality on the validity of observer-reported personality in predicting job performance

Drawing on Funder’s Realistic Accuracy Model, we investigate key sources of variance in the criterion-related validity of observer-reported personality in predicting target job performance. Specifically, this study builds theory on how observer personality impacts (a) access to and (b) processing of personality cues, influencing the extent to which observer-ratings of target personality predict supervisor ratings of target job performance. Results from a multisource field study (n = 301) indicate that observer-ratings of personality have the potential to capture both higher relative and incremental predictive validity over self-ratings. However, the extent to which observer-ratings outperform self-ratings depends upon personality characteristics of the observers, such that predictive validities are highest when observers score high on measures of conscientiousness, openness, and emotional stability.