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Key Concepts - Behaviors, Capabilities, and Interests

Understand how you work through three lenses: Behaviors, Capabilities, and Interests - what you do, how you think, and what drives you.

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Written by Product
Updated this week

Wonderlic Develop gives you insight into how you work - not just what you do.
It focuses on three key dimensions of development.

Why These Concepts Matter

  • Behaviors: Your natural tendencies at work

  • Capabilities: How easily you reason, learn, and solve problems

  • Interests: The types of work you’re drawn to and energized by

Understanding all three helps you make more informed decisions about how to grow, collaborate, and align with your role.


Behaviors: How You Tend to Act

These are traits rooted in personality - like how organized, adaptable, or assertive you are.

  • Some behaviors come naturally and take little effort.

  • Others require more intention, energy, or support.

Example: If “Influence” is a strength for you, leading conversations might feel easy and energizing. If it takes more effort, you might plan talking points ahead of time.


Capabilities: How You Process and Apply Information

These are your reasoning and problem-solving abilities. They reflect how quickly and accurately you learn, analyze, and make decisions.

  • Capabilities influence how you tackle complexity and adapt to new tasks.

  • While these are more stable over time, they can be supported with structure.

Example: Strong “Pattern Recognition” helps you quickly spot trends in data or behavior. Lower scores might mean you benefit from visual aids or step-by-step instructions.


Interests: What Motivates You

These reflect the kinds of work that feel most fulfilling and energizing — whether it’s solving problems, helping others, creating, or leading.

  • High interest = energizing, engaging work

  • Low interest = work that may be draining or feel like a chore

Example: If you score high on “Supportive Work,” you’re likely energized by mentoring, service, or collaboration. That interest can guide meaningful goal setting.


Why All Three Matter Together

Each dimension gives you part of the picture:

  • Behaviors = what feels natural or effortful

  • Capabilities = how you solve and adapt

  • Interests = what keeps you engaged

Together, they help you understand where you’ll thrive, where to grow, and how to stay sustainable in your role.

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