interpreting-culture-index

<essential_principles>

**Culture Index measures behavioral traits, not intelligence or skills. There is no "good" or "bad" profile.**

<principle name="never-compare-absolutes">
**Never compare absolute trait values between people.**

The 0-10 scale is just a ruler. What matters is **distance from the red arrow** (population mean at 50th percentile). The arrow position varies between surveys based on EU.

**Why the arrow moves:** Higher EU scores cause the arrow to plot further right; lower EU causes it to plot further left. This does not affect validity—we always measure distance from wherever the arrow lands.

**Wrong**: "Dan has higher autonomy than Jim because his A is 8 vs 5"
**Right**: "Dan is +3 centiles from his arrow; Jim is +1 from his arrow"

Always ask: Where is the arrow, and how far is the dot from it?
</principle>

<principle name="survey-vs-job">
**Survey = who you ARE. Job = who you're TRYING TO BE.**

> **"You can't send a duck to Eagle school."** Traits are hardwired—you can only modify behaviors temporarily, at the cost of energy.

- **Top graph (Survey Traits)**: Hardwired by age 12-16. Does not change. Writing with your dominant hand.
- **Bottom graph (Job Behaviors)**: Adaptive behavior at work. Can change. Writing with your non-dominant hand.

Large differences between graphs indicate behavior modification, which drains energy and causes burnout if sustained 3-6+ months.
</principle>

<principle name="distance-interpretation">
**Distance from arrow determines trait strength.**

| Distance | Label | Percentile | Interpretation |
|----------|-------|------------|----------------|
| On arrow | Normative | 50th | Flexible, situational |
| ±1 centile | Tendency | ~67th | Easier to modify |
| ±2 centiles | Pronounced | ~84th | Noticeable difference |
| ±4+ centiles | Extreme | ~98th | Hardwired, compulsive, predictable |

**Key insight:** Every 2 centiles of distance = 1 standard deviation.

Extreme traits drive extreme results but are harder to m