WorkMatters Tips Issue #17 – March 27,2007
Publisher: Gayle Lantz mailto:lantz@workmatters.com
https://workmatters.com
WorkMatters, Inc.
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A quick tip to help leaders and executives who need to motivate their teams and themselves, and catapult their business.
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Making the Most of Assessments
How can two people who have the same job perform so differently? Maybe they have different talents, strengths or motivations. Perhaps they have different styles and personalities. Maybe they prefer different tasks.
When runners train for a race, some prefer to run alone listening to music with an ipod while others prefer to train with a buddy. (Or if you’re like me, you take the dog.) They all cross the finish line, but prepare differently. Some do the job better.
As employers continue to search for ways to boost employee job satisfaction, improve performance and increase employee retention, they are turning to assessments as part of the solution. Assessment results reveal helpful clues about a person’s ability and potential to perform well in a particular job.
If you currently use or are considering using assessments in your organization, here are a few pointers to make sure you’re getting the most value:
* Start with the need.
I’ve seen too many people infatuated with a particular assessment tool, yet it may not serve the purpose well. Assessments can serve a variety of purposes. Understand what a particular assessment is designed to do. Be clear about your objective first.
* Digest the feedback.
People often tend to make quick assumptions about their results. Talk it over. Assessment results can trigger many emotions — confusion, denial, anger, pride, confidence, etc. Slow down and validate what you learn.
* Determine what you will do differently.
What will you do as a result of what you learned from the assessment results? Insight is meaningless unless you use it somehow. Maybe you can discuss results with your team to build understanding or improve communication. You might redesign your job, build on a strength or shift some responsibilities.
Assessments are not tools for experts to "figure out who you are" or to uncover some deep dark secret. When used properly, assessments should help people and companies find the best fit and accomplish their goals more easily.
A NEW ASSESSMENT TOOL TO TEST
I’m considering adding an interesting new assessment tool to my own service offerings. It’s an assessment that is designed to aid job satisfaction and employee retention by focusing on task preferences.
I’m looking for WorkMatters Tips subscribers, within and outside the US, who might be interested in testing out the new assessment online at no charge. Expect an announcement later this week with more details.
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
Ann Landers
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Reprinted from "WorkMatters Tips," a free ezine produced by Gayle Lantz featuring tips for leaders and executives who want to grow themselves, their team and their business. Subscribe at
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