We are all overloaded with information coming at us. Most of us belong to multiple groups that we never visit. Then we have our own newsletters, blogs, social networks. Why another community?
Assessments is big business. It is really hard to get any kind of generic answer. Either someone is “pushing” their favourite instrument or they really haven’t a clue. Segments of our profession – coaches, trainers, consultants and HR professionals have limited vehicles for cross sharing. But, we have so much to learn from one another. For the past 10 years, I have tried to provide sensible answers to coaches, trainers, consultants and HR professionals about the use and misuse of assessments.
This is about giving value not finding value. (Pay it forward.)
Here are some of my assumptions:
You don’t have to use assessments to be a great coach, trainer or consultant.
Assessments may enhance what you do or be a big distraction.
No one instrument is better than another – just different.
Sometimes a simple tool is more effective that a robust one. Sometimes not.
An assessment should never supersede the goals or needs of the client.
My Vision
Let me share a little of my why I do what I do. I think as professionals we can do a much better job at presenting and using assessments with our clients. I want to raise the standard of professionalism. I believe all of us wantour clients to receive the best of what we do. To this end, I wanted create a repository of information, a list of “experts” that members could find when and if they needed it. I believe the market place is “big enough” for all of us. I don’t even care if members promote their services and products – as long as they are clear about intent and post it in the designated forum.
You are the instrument for change not the assessment.
My Request
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I couldn’t do it alone. I need your help to build this resource of both material and human knowledge. I am a realist. I know that less than 10% actively become involved in communities. You don’t have to do anything. Just belong because you also think we need this kind of community. If you want to be active, all the better. I am always on the look out of impartial “experts”. Please help spread the word about the network to your colleagues. I want all vendors of assessments, all types of assessments and all users to feel welcomed.
My Personal Guarantee
Membership in the general community network will ALWAYS be free as long as I manage it.
I promise not to use the community list to sell you anything. I will be respectful of both your time and information overload by not sending out endless reminders, emails or notices. I will send out maybe an email every two months to remind you about what is available – just so you don’t forget. I will take spamming by myself or anyone else seriously.
Would you like to help share and contribute and learn?
Register Now and Access our Forum
Why Free and Paid Membership?
Those who have joined, either already use my assessments, use another instrument or will probably choose a different assessment that I do not offer. There may even be a small group that will never use any assessments and isn’t it great that they participate? Consequently this will not be a money making endeavor for me. And that is OK. The truth is, I am not all that good at making money. I was very good at it once but I have since lost the interest in so doing. However, that is not very practical most of the time.
It is my hope that some Charter Members will share my vision and desire for a cross discipline network of professionals who use assessments. These members will help build and maintain the community not necessarily by participation but by helping me cover administration costs. Hence the $25 annual fee starting in this fall.
Side Note: I originally designed the site to provide protected access to my different client base. However, I love communities and networks. I set up an online community group of over 100 OD practitioners in Ottawa, Canada in the mid 90′s until the platform started charging a fee. I was an early adopter of Twitter. I can’t count the LinkedIn or Yahoo or Google groups to which I belong. I always said, if only I could find someone to pay me to go to lunch. Perhaps that is why I like coaching and public speaking.
There is a natural tendency for the majority of the population to want to converge on the details. In debriefing an assessment, it is important to diverge and look at the bigger context before narrowing in on specifics.
This video was taped about 6 weeks ago in our backyard, just before moving from Geneva to Paris. Aren’t the roses beautiful? I will miss this view.
This quick tip serves two purposes. First, it helps energize a group and get everyone moving around. Second, it helps participants understand that while there are many things that can’t be changed about ourselves – - more than we may realize is within our control. Most of the behavioural assessments we use in training and coaching are developmental in nature and do have aspects that an individual can influence.
I have found that one of the biggest fears people have for using an assessment with a client is that they might ask some technical or statistical question. Here is the answer I use.
Here is a simple technique when conducting workshops that helps your ability to keep the momentum going and adds a sense of lightness and fun to the session.
The context of assessments and why you might like an assessment but others don’t.
by Roberta Hill
Assess Yourself Now
Welcome to the Assess Yourself Now Portal: the premier source and resource for assessment knowledge in the coaching industry and the coaches source for The Platinum Rule®. Using our world-wide network of qualified coaches and trainers, we can assist your organization to realize significant return on investment in your professional and leadership development programs.
Curious about assessments but not sure who to trust?
Have you wanted to stay informed about assessments but don’t want to do the research?
Do you use assessments but would like to expand your repertoire?
Would you like assessment information all in one place with easy access?
Do you have expertise that you would be willing to share with others?
Well I hope that is what I have created with my Assess Yourself Now Portal. You can now connect through a Community Network, FaceBook Page and / or Blog. Membership in the community is free. If you are a trainer, coach, consultant or HR professional, I encourage you to register and join.. There is no charge for joining and you will have access to more resources. Up until the end of August, you can enjoy extra resources as a Charter Member – then you will revert back to the Community Network.
Register Now and Access our Forum
If you want to improve your communication skills, build solid teams with your co-workers, enhance your communications, leverage the relationships you have with others, or accomplish a myriad of other goals, The Platinum Rule® will help you do that… and more. So look around and enjoy. But, to fully experience the magic of The Platinum Rule™ take your personalized Assessments Now Behavioral Style Assessment.
Wishing you continued success however you define it,
Roberta Hill, BA, MBA
Mentor & Leadership Consultant
Master Certified Coach
Assess Yourself Now is a portal into assessments offered to individuals, coaches, trainers, consultants and organizations. Owned and operated by Roberta Hill, MBA, MCC, Assess Yourself Now uses the assessments based on the work of Tony Alessandra – leading author on motivation.
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The Platinum Rule®Online Assessment Series
Ever wanted a simple online assessment that caters specifically to a career type? Our Platinum Rule® Online Assessment Series
Regular – Our most generic 5 minute assessment designed for individuals who want to take a look at their communication styles in both a personal and work setting.
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The Social Styles Online Assessment
Although no single behavioral style works better than any other, flexibility – the ability to get along with people whose styles differ from one’s own – frequently distinguishes success or lack of success. Major definitive research on style classifications was done by Merrill and Reid The two continuums in this model are Ask vs. Tell and Controls Emotions vs. Emotes. This results in the four social styles: Expressive, Driving, Analytic and Amiable. If you like the Platinum Rule® – you will love this one.
The DISCself Online Assessment
Grounded in the revolutionary work of Harvard-trained psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston, the DISC system characterizes human behavior into four distinct social styles: Dominant, Interactive, Steady and Conscientious. The way you relate to other people is, in large part, defined by which of those social styles is dominant in your personality.
The Online Values Assessment
The Online Values Assessment is a combination of the research of Dr. Eduard Spranger and Gordon Allport into what drives and motivates an individual. The seven dimensions of value discovered between these two researchers help understand the reasons that drive an individual to utilize their talents in the unique way they do. This Values Index will help you understand your motivators and drivers and how to maximize your performance by achieving better alignment and passion for what you do.
The Online Values Assessment measures seven dimensions of motivation:
Aesthetic – a drive for balance, harmony and form.
Economic – a drive for economic or practical returns.
Individualistic – a drive to stand out as independent and unique.
Political – a drive to be in control or have influence.
Altruistic – a drive for humanitarian efforts; help others altruistically.
Regulatory – a drive to establish order, routine and structure.
Theoretical – a drive for knowledge, learning and understanding.
The Platinum Rule® is a registered trademark of Dr. Tony Alessandra and is used with permission.
