Born to Succeed

In the age-old debate between nature and nurture, the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation comes down squarely on the side of nature. At the Irving center, one of 13 public testing centers around the country, they believe that you’re born with certain talents, and you’ll lead a happier, more productive life if you can identify and use as many as possible. Tests and follow-up counseling are based on inherent abilities- not education, not interests.

“We”Il suggest interest tests and personality profiles when clients ask, but our research is about natural aptitudes,” says Katherine Derry, director of the center.

Clients age 14 and up use test results to choose college majors, look for new careers and guide them in retirement and other life changes. It’s rumored that, years ago, one son in a large, politically oriented family (Johnson O’Connor won’t give out names) tested below average in every aptitude and was found to have an “objective” personality-managerial attributes. Armed with that information and higher-than-average ambition, he pursued his perfect career path, culminating in the ultimate manager’s job: president of the United States.

Watergate burglar and hand-burning tough guy G. Gordon Liddy. on the other hand, wasn’t as pleased with his results, according to his autobiography, Will.

At loose ends at 23 after leaving the army, he ran Johnson O’Connor’s gauntlet of tests and learned he was suited for editing a scholarly journal. “I hadn’t trained myself for years to be a warrior,” he wrote, “only to spend my life behind a typewriter.”