Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety condition characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry (collectively termed obsessions), along with repetitive behaviors (or compulsions) aimed at reducing the associated anxiety.

For team members in quality departments, I personally feel that many OCD traits ought to be a unique selling point for recruitment. In fact, the level of attention to detail inherent in many with OCD is the penchant driving quality systems and processes in most organizations. It’s the compulsive checking-rechecking cycle that teaches the importance of verification and validation.

How can you tell if people with OCD work in your quality department? Symptoms of the disorder include: excessive washing or cleaning, repeated checking, hoarding, relationship-related obsessions, aversion to particular numbers, and nervous rituals such as opening and closing a door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room.

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