Accurate Self-Assessment 

An inner awareness of your strengths and limitations 

 

People with this competence 

• Are reflective and learn from experience;

• Know  their  capabilities; know  what  they  can  do  and  what  they  can’t  do;

• Are open to candid feedback, new perspectives, continuous learning and self-development;

• Ask for help from others who might have more experience, knowledge or ability;

• Have the ability to identify and target areas for improvement and change; and

• Demonstrate a desire to learn and grow.

 

People lacking this competence 

• Tend  to  want  to  appear  “right”  in  front  of  others;

• Fail to ask for help;

• Compete with others instead of cooperating;

• Exaggerate their own value and contribution;

• Set unrealistic, overly ambitious and unattainable goals for themselves and others;

• Push themselves hard, often at the expense of other parts of their lives;

• Push others hard;

• Tend to micromanage and take over instead of delegating (“if  you  want  it  done  right.  .  .  “);

• Take  credit  for  others’  efforts;

• Blame others for mistakes, even if they made them;

• Cannot admit mistakes or personal weaknesses; and

• Can’t  accept  feedback  or  criticism.

 

Development tips 

• Request feedback from time to time and accept it without becoming defensive;

• Create a culture where it is safe for people to provide feedback;

• Be open to gaining new insights and learning new things;

• Take an assessment instrument such as a communication style profile, Myers-Briggs, or a 360 multi-rater assessment to learn more about your strengths and vulnerabilities;

• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses;

• Ask others for their insights on your strengths and weaknesses (or ask an executive coach to  interview  the  people  around  you);;  compare  your  list  with  others’  lists;

• Maintain an openness and commitment to ongoing learning, growth and improvement;

• Allow others to try new things, and create a safe environment for moderate risk-taking and failure; and

• Be realistic in taking on new projects, setting new goals and objectives. 

 

Great Resources: 

• Books: 

  • Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath; and

  • Now Discover Your Strengths , by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton.

•   Website: 

http://sf2.strengthsfinder.com/learnmore

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