Is It Fair for Employers to Judge Your Personality Based on Handwriting? Let's Discuss!

I heard that a person's handwriting also indicates a person's attitude and personality. I also heard that in some organizations, employers judge a person based on their handwriting. Is it really true, and is it okay for an employer or colleague to judge handwriting? My handwriting is readable but pathetic and kiddish. This is partly because, for many years, we have been working on computers and have had no practice with writing.

Once I attended a lecture by a graphologist on handwriting analysis. He mentioned that this handwriting analysis is a 16-day long course and that about 400 of the top Fortune 500 companies use handwriting analysis for recruitment. I did not verify the veracity of what he said.

Personally, I do not believe in these mystic methods. With due importance to this method, I would like to ask one question: Why are we unable to tide over today's recession? Most industries are facing recession. Companies are falling prey to corporate decline. Can recruitment based on handwriting arrest this trend?

We do not have a case study or example wherein a CEO was selected based on his/her handwriting and he/she could turn around the company's fortune.

Taking scientific decisions is not easy. There are always gaps in our understanding of the situation. The human mind fills these gaps with these concoctions.

People in general, and Indians in particular, have an idiosyncrasy to run away from reason. Graphology aside, another trend is to find solace in "spirituality," "yoga," etc. In most companies, the basic malaise lies in not working in a structured manner, not working in an organized manner, not implementing the knowledge gained during professional courses like Engineering or Management, and so on. The real workplace stress originates because of this. People know this, yet they end up embracing unscientific solutions.

In one of my training programs on "Stress Management," I firmly told my client that in my training, I will not cover "yoga." People get stressed in your company because of different reasons, and "yoga" is the wrong prescription. The HR and Training Head were agog. They told me that I was the first training professional they saw putting their foot down so evidently. The 2-day training program went well. Each participant realized the causes of the stress. I provided them with remedial solutions as well.

There is yet another trend: changing the spelling of one's name. It is believed that by changing the spelling, one can change destiny! How churlish!

Before I conclude, let me give a famous quote by François Domergue: "Some people study all their life and at death they have learned everything except to think." Those who are unable to think will not only follow these mystic methods but become champions of these methods too.

We had a sickening testimony of the above quote when a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court openly admitted that "xxxxx xxx Baba dictated my every single judgement." I doubt whether judges of other democratic countries felt pity on us.

Those who were in their universities (i.e., in the student phase) during the seventies or eighties may remember that there were socialists in political parties. These socialists were living examples of how not to live with superstitions. They vociferously opposed superstitions as well. Economic liberalization after 1991 has many flip sides, and one among them is that this tribe of socialists has dissipated. Today, we do not have anyone at the national level who espouses the spirit of science. In the bargain, we have a young generation that has grown under the shadow of "Babas" or "Gurujis" or "Swamis." Some 30-40 years from now, when they are in their old age, let them assess whether India could make progress because of the blessings of these demigods or because of scientific thinking.

While giving this reply, I have digressed from the main topic, but this digression was per force and with cause too. While I have complete respect for "spirituality" or "yoga," my opposition is towards its wrong application.

Ok...

Dinesh V Divekar

Thanks, Dinesh, for giving a comprehensive response. I wonder why, before posing questions, people do not search the web. For example, I just checked to see "Is there any evidence that graphology works?" and found a few interesting links.

How Graphology Fools People and www.cia.gov — Studies Archive Indexes vol3no3 html.

Though there are a number of reasons for stress, I must admit that yoga and meditation do help reduce stress. Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief: Finding the Relaxation Exercises that Work for You. They will not eliminate the causes of stress, as Dinesh rightly points out. Stress arises not only on account of practices at work but also out of problems in one's personal life.

Good writing is an art, but we can't assess a candidate based on their writing alone. It is often observed that individuals with logical thinking may not have excellent handwriting compared to those who are less logical.

Regards,
Wasimuddin
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

The Science Behind Handwriting Analysis

There may be a science behind the analysis of handwriting. Unless and until we thoroughly understand the concept, we cannot accept, reject, or ridicule it. To follow or not to follow is one's own prerogative.

Understanding Handwriting Analysis

There may be a science behind the analysis of handwriting. Unless and until we thoroughly understand the concept, we cannot accept, reject, or ridicule it. To follow or not to follow is one's own prerogative.

Various Methods of Handwriting Analysis

There are too many methods but never the right answer:
- Fingerprinting method
- Graphology
- And so on

The basic idea is to nurture the candidate well, and he will deliver. The best approach is to use clear logic.

Graphology does indeed indicate a person's attitude and personality, and yes, many companies, including Fortune companies, use it for recruitment. However, it is more effective when used in combination with other recruitment methods, not just as a standalone way of recruitment. I am saying this because I have studied Graphology under Mr. Milind Rajore (you can Google him), an eminent graphologist, and have also used graphology to a certain extent for hiring in my company.

Regards

Dear Juilye, Thanks for coming forward and sharing this information. You say that you have used graphology to a certain extent for hiring in your company. Have you studied the benefits of incorporating this method into your recruitment process? Are these people better engaged than others? Is their performance level better? From an HR standpoint, business results are important. Please share some information on the results and on what parameters you measured them.

Thanks, DVD

Dear All,

Graphology does indeed indicate a person's attitude and personality, and yes, many companies, including Fortune 500 companies, use it for recruitment. However, it is more effective if used in combination with other recruitment methods, not just as a standalone method. I say this because I have studied Graphology under Mr. Milind Rajore (you can Google him), an eminent graphologist, and have also used graphology to a certain extent for hiring in my company...

The Role of Handwriting in Personality Assessment

Psychologists do make use of handwriting to assess a person's personality. This is just one of the tools that aid in understanding others. It may not be foolproof but is helpful.

Regards,
S.K. LIMAYE

The Art of Handwriting

Handwriting is an art, and it gives others a good impression when written beautifully with clarity for easy reading. Unfortunately, handwriting is becoming an outdated practice for many due to the prevalence of computers. Therefore, it may not be prudent to assess anybody based on their handwriting nowadays.

You have just asked a question without stating the motive. One of the contributors has provided a very elaborate answer which covers many Hindu beliefs. I am unsure if he possesses real information or deep knowledge about these topics, as having a fixed opinion about something can hinder one's ability to see its positive aspects.

What is Handwriting Analysis and What Can It Reveal About a Person?

Handwriting analysis is a science that has been scientifically proven to showcase some basic characteristics of a person, such as clarity of thought, views, and attitude. However, it cannot predict if a person will be result-oriented or successful in their endeavors. It merely reveals the basic traits of a person, which are insufficient to determine a person's future work performance or efficiency. Therefore, it cannot be utilized in HR practices. Handwriting analysis is similar to Numerology, Palmistry, and Astrology, where the quality of results depends on various factors and the knowledge of the individual. Dismissing these practices entirely as baseless, especially if one believes in the existence of a higher power, may overlook the validation and acceptance of these practices by scientists.

Yoga and Its Value

Now, let's discuss Yoga. If someone does not appreciate Yoga, it does not diminish its value. Yoga is a scientific and advanced form of physiotherapy, where most, if not all, Yoga positions offer health benefits that have been medically proven.

Dear friends, these practices represent the knowledge and essence of our past and carry their own benefits. While they should not be used for employee selection, promotion, or dismissal, as Indians, we should respect these practices as part of the heritage passed down to us by our ancestors.

Regards.

I think that you do not get the proper point about graphology. It's not about good handwriting or bad handwriting, but it analyzes the directions, angles, letter placement, and other writing components. Based on these analyses, there may be certain information that can be derived. I am not a graphologist, and this information comes from the internet. I would like to point out that not everything on the internet is reliable, and this type of forum is a better platform for people to get proper information. Therefore, I would rather post my queries on this forum than search on the internet. Sorry, Mr. Supermoderator!

Regards,
Vikash

In the computer age, does anyone spend time writing? It is advisable to utilize various recruitment tools available rather than focusing solely on graphology.

I think this is not the right method. Handwriting is totally dependent on the situation, comfort, writing paper, and pen, so all are variables. Everyone knows that doctors' prescriptions are readable only to pharmacists. Therefore, I won't believe it.

Regards,
Devendra