The Best Way I Know to 'Activate Your Greatness'

I felt light-headed, my heart was beating fast and my palms were wet with sweat and anticipation.   While I'm pretty sure I looked composed, I felt completely vulnerable.

I wasn't sky-diving, giving birth or appearing on national television. I'm almost embarrassed to tell you what had me so nervous, but I will. 

I was meeting with a consultant to review my assessment results. It was 2001 and my employer had asked the entire team to complete them. I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear what 'this guy' (The Consultant) had to say.

Luckily, the consultant was very effective. My fear turned into wonder and interest. He emphasized my strengths and revealed potential growth gaps.

My results were accurate and helpful, providing insight about how to use my strengths. They revealed "truths" about me that I'd never seen in writing.  It felt ground-breaking!

A 'How to Activate Your Greatness'  Master Class!

Reading the information in my assessment results was empowering. They were a "Master Class" in how to master me!  This kind of information puts me (and you!) in charge. Up to that point, I'd been trying to speed up my development, on my own, through:

1. Trial and Error. Trial and error can be a rough and tumble, time-consuming approach. It can result in positive growth, but progress can be slow.

2. Looking for Good Mentors to Learn from and Model Myself After. Mentors can speed up development, but it can be hard to find effective and committed mentors.  I've only had a couple of good mentors in my career so far.

3. Thinking That Others Would See My Potential. I wanted bosses, co-workers, friends, and family to take an interest in my development. But unfortunately, most people are better at pointing out weaknesses, not specific strengths. That tendency is prevalent in our culture.

Assessments provide powerful insight about your strengths and development areas. With  this kind of information you can move forward faster, and with confidence.

Since my first exposure to assessments in 2001, I've become an Assessment Expert. I now certify other people, lead assessment-based workshops and coach leaders. I debrief Assessments with others every day!

Activate Your Greatness:  Some Things I Learned About Myself From My Assessment Results...

Here are a few of the things I learned about myself from that first assessment experience:

• Strengths: I'm an assertive person who loves to solve problems and is willing to take risks. I never meet a stranger. I handle change with ease, and I have a million ideas.
  
  I was aware of some of these strengths but was unsure of them until I saw them in writing in my Report. WOW!
• How Others See Me: Whoa, I can overwhelm people, talk too much, and become a self-promoter. I never knew that I could come across that way to others if I overuse my strengths.
  
  But I can see that now. Knowing this helps me manage myself because none of those things are what I intend.
• My Stress-ors: I hate to go slow and not to be able to think outside the box.
  
  No wonder that last job was so stressful! I wish I'd known this before I went through that! I'll know better next time...
• My Motivators: I do love to learn; I need to be a product expert and to be able to get results.
  
  I'm going to look for ways to do more of this...
• How to Manage Me: I need to make decisions, move fast, and have direct, quick conversations. I also do better when my manager provides regular feedback.
  
  Now I understand what I need, I can ask for more of this.
• Specific Development Opportunities: I talk to think, so I can take too long to make my point. I can also come across as insensitive and impatient!
  
  Those are areas I can work on, now that I know!

The Three Best Assessments to Help You  Master the Activate Your Greatness Habit..

I've tried, tested and taught MANY different Assessments over the years. I have come to trust these tools: the DISC, Workplace Motivators and the Hartman DNA Assessment, measuring three views in the TriMetrixHD Assessment.

Are you activating your greatness every day?  Is your team?