How to achieve lasting effect from an assessment

A powerful assessment session inspires participants to become more aware and develop the habit of reflecting and taking action. However, we often encounter leaders who go through these assessments and remember only a few details after a while, leading to the whole experience being forgotten. Is that what assessments are for? How can we create significant transformations and lasting effects from these sessions? We discussed this with experienced assessors regarding our practices.

The top recommendation is to focus on one thing at a time and make it personal, according to Noriko Takagi, Managing Partner of Steinbach & Partner and certified Executive Coach. By breaking complex personal development goals into one concrete action, leaders can avoid distractions and feeling overwhelmed. Importantly, this focus should also bring improvement into their personal lives.

Over time, leaders may find that addressing this single topic connects to broader areas of their development. For example, a leader who sets a goal to listen more actively can change their behavior in meetings, resulting in different outcomes and improved interactions with others.

It is crucial to specify exactly what to change or what to avoid. Leaders can reassess their focus after a period, but maintaining a strong core topic brings a ripple effect on overall outcomes. Focused behavior and actions can cultivate the right mindset, allowing leaders to act naturally and skillfully over time.