Self-Assessment:
For an effective self-assessment, you need complete honesty. Be honest with yourself. Ask others to be honest with you. What do you think you do well? What do people around you recognize that you do well? In coaching and counseling people over the years, I’ve found that many people don’t immediately recognize all the strengths that they have…or they may not know how to express those strengths…
There are a variety of tools you can use, as you look in the mirror. Personality tests are a great way to understand yourself better and how you interact with others. Some of the personality tests I’ve used include:
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which measure preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions along four dimensions: sensing, intuition, feeling, and thinking. I’m an ISTJ.
- DiSC Personality Assessment, which centers around four different personality traits: Dominance, Inducement, Submission, and Compliance. I’m a Coordinator, which means that I’m a good listener and team player, who is steady, predictable, understanding, and friendly.
- Birkman Method—an instrument consisting of ten scales describing occupational preferences, 11 scales describing usual behaviors, 11 scales describing stress behaviors, and 11 scales describing interpersonal and environmental needs. I’m a “Blue” or Planner, which means that I focus on ideas & innovation, creativity & innovation, and subjectivity & reflection. I consider new approaches and connect the dots, maintaining a broad focus.
Over the years, I’ve found these tools to be a great way to understand myself better and how I interact with others. The tools are a great mirror, revealing your natural preferences for work and relating to others. I’m always amazed at how much these tests can describe me with so few questions…but then again, I’m a fairly simple guy!
But my “aha” moment came after reading Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Dr. Donald Clifton.
Their StrengthsFinder quiz pointed out that my primary strengths are Achiever and Learner (along with Responsibility, Analytical, and Focus). While I’ve always loved learning—especially about people and leadership—I never fully appreciated it or recognized learning as my “strength”. That revelation helped me move forward to embrace my love of learning and thirst for knowledge. How do I use that? Now, when I plan my goals for the year, I always capture goals associated with both achieving & learning…which are tied to my primary strengths… I not only love to get things done…but I love to learn as well…
So, what are your strengths?
Once you have an idea about what you do best and how you can help your team, group, or organization, you have a good foundation to shoot for the stars!
In fact, I’ve heard it said that if you master the art of leading yourself, you lay the foundation for helping others do the same…
For more tips, get a copy of my article entitled “S.M.I.L.E. as You Shoot for the Stars!”