itiative, to step out and assume responsibilities,
to guide and direct the work of others, to meet others in, competition, to
discipline others, to defend himself against the attack of others, to
defend the rights of those depending upon him as employees, or
stockholders, or partners. He may be excellently qualified as a research
worker, an experimenter, an administrator of affairs, a teacher, a writer,
a lecturer, an artist, or in almost any kind of work where initiative,
aggressiveness, and fighting ability are not prime essentials.

PRUDENCE

Almost as important in its bearing upon vocational fitness as honesty and
courage is prudence. This is the quality which causes men to bear
responsibility faithfully; it is that which makes effective in them a
sense of duty. It is the emotional quality which leads men to take
precautions, to provide against the future. It is that which prevents them
from recklessness in expenditure or speculation, from carelessness, from
irresponsibility. It is an absolutely essential quality wherever
dependability is required; where one is expected to assume and to carry
responsibility, to see that things are done accurately that necessities
are provided, that emergencies are prevented.

On the other hand, there are many vocations in which too great prudence,
too great caution, is a handicap instead of an advantage. The man who is
too cautious, who bears responsibility too heavily, is not fitted for
positions and vocations which involve a certain amount of personal danger.
He is also likely to be too conservative to enter upon vocations in which
a considerable element of speculation is involved. He is not disposed to
take chances; he is too apprehensive and too much given to anxiety to be
involved in any vocation where there is uncertainty as to outcome. Many
vocations also require a fine blending of prudence with a willingness to
take chances and a certain degree of recklessness.

THE ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

Such is any kind of work in which the results are not tangible and
immediately and constantly measurable. In our practice we meet many who
grow impatient, apprehensive, and even discouraged when knowledge of
success of their efforts is deferred--or is even problematical. These
people would far rather work in a subordinate position at a small salary,
_certain_ to be paid every pay day, than to make twice as much money on a
commission basis but not be certain just how much they would be