Can Organizations Lean on Assessments to Lead and Develop Their Teams (This Organization’s Response Might Surprise You)?
Can we lean on assessments to lead and develop our teams? Will it actually enhance our productivity?
This question is something organizations wrestle with because there are, simply put, a lot of assessments out there.
So, in this blog I’m going to answer this question using bits and pieces from a testimonial I received from the Hamlin Building Center (one of my clients). I hope their insights and findings provide some clarity on if and how you should be using assessments.
Furthermore, I hope it highlights how unique and valuable the Kolbe Wisdom™ assessments are for businesses, especially those implementing EOS, and how impactful they can be when leaned on appropriately.
The assessment represents the starting point
Yes, I believe organizations can lean on assessments to lead and develop their teams. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that the assessment represents the starting point of the leadership and development process, not the outcome. So, if you’re planning on utilizing a Kolbe Wisdom™ assessment, be sure to consider the work that comes after the results are provided, and who should be involved with that process.
“We consider Instinctive Advantage as a trusted partner whom we need as we continue towards our goals.”
Be careful to process the results appropriately
In addition to understanding that the assessment is just the starting point, it’s also important to be careful when going through your team’s assessment results. For many of my clients, the results don’t always reflect what they “want” to hear. Thus, it can be a frustrating process to not only process the information, but also to begin implementing it within their teams (mostly because the information is personal to both leadership and their employees). In my experience, organizations who bring in certified coaches to help facilitate the delivery of these results are the organizations who find more success in the implementation of the results.
“Our first attempts at using Kolbe can be described as episodes of heightening frustrations and increased tension. We made the mistake of thinking if we read the book everything will get better. As it turns out, we all interpreted the results individually and it quickly became, well, not good.”
Understand that implementation takes time
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just take an assessment and then immediately see the impact of its results? While certain insights may lead to immediate change, many insights take time to implement effectively. So, if you’re serious about implementing the results you find from assessments like Kolbe Wisdom™, be sure to give yourself an adequate amount of time to see the improvements take shape.
“I had struggled with seeing the value in Kolbe, but then I had a meeting with The Instinctive Advantage. We were reviewing my Kolbe and those of my team, and I began to understand where the friction comes from. This information alone has made such a huge impact in my team’s progression this last year, and I feel like I can validate it now after that time has passed.”
Results are within your reach
At The Instinctive Advantage, we believe that with the proper implementation of the Kolbe Wisdom™ assessments, teams can be more productive. As outlined above, you simply have to understand that the assessment represents the starting point, how you process through the results is important, and that it takes time to fully implement. When these things are thoroughly considered, the results organizations are looking for are within reach (higher productivity, better communication, etc.).
“Working with The Instinctive Advantage to best implement the Kolbe Wisdom™ has helped us move into a world where not only do we do our best as much as possible, but we enable those around us to do their best as well.”
So, to answer the question again.
Yes, you can lean on assessments to lead and develop your teams.
Just be sure you understand how to properly utilize the assessment within your organization.
If you have any further questions about integrating an assessment such as the Kolbe Wisdom™, please feel free to send me an email. I’d be happy to discuss how this specific assessment can impact your team.
Just as it’s impacted the Hamlin Building Center.
-E