At SPARK, whether we are working individually with a client, helping a team of leaders build their skills together, or addressing the culture of an entire organization, we begin every engagement by assessing the client’s needs. 

One challenge we’ve heard come up over and over again this year: How do I energize, empower, and grow my existing leaders? In order to answer that question, sometimes we use one of our assessment tools to gain an understanding of where our team is starting from, what their skills are, or how they communicate best. “Assessment” is a word that can mean many things, and the variety of assessment tools on the market varies widely.

Assessments can measure a variety of aspects of an individual including:

• Behavior/Personality
• Skills/Competencies
• Emotional Intelligence
• Values/Motivators
• Perceptions of Self and Others’ Perceptions of You

At Spark, we use assessment tools to quickly identify our client’s current situation, strengths and challenges, to then focus on the right root cause areas for breakthrough changes.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the range of assessments we offer and highlight their benefits.

TTI DISC: The TTI DISC assessment focuses on understanding behavioral styles. By analyzing an individual’s Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance, the assessment provides valuable insights into how they communicate, make decisions, and work in a team. For instance, someone who scores high in Dominance and Influence typically thrives in a leadership position where they can utilize their assertiveness and persuasive skills. This individual will also have watch outs where they can hone their communication style to communicate better with those who don’t share their DISC type.

TTI DNA: The TTI DNA assessment delves into an individual’s natural talents and provides an in-depth analysis of their behaviors, motivators, and competencies. It helps individuals identify their unique strengths and areas where they can excel. For example, if an individual discovers they have an unusually strong skill set in problem-solving and analysis, they could be encouraged to pursue continued career progression within data science or research.

Hogan: The Hogan assessment focuses on personality traits and their impact on work performance. It helps individuals understand their reputation, strengths, weaknesses, and how they may react under stress. By becoming aware of their blind spots, individuals can work on personal development and enhance their overall performance in the workplace.

Kolbe: The Kolbe assessment measures an individual’s instinctive strengths and problem-solving abilities. It uncovers their natural talents and provides guidance on how to leverage them. For instance, someone who excels in quick decision-making and adaptability would thrive in fast-paced environments like emergency response or event management.

TTI Acumen: The TTI Acumen assessment explores an individual’s critical thinking skills, decision-making style, and problem-solving approach. It helps individuals understand their cognitive abilities and how they can apply them in various situations. For example, we’d expect someone who scores high in critical thinking and creative problem-solving to excel in strategic planning or innovation-driven roles.

Gallup’s CliftonStrengths Assessment (formerly known as StrengthsFinder): The CliftonStrengths assessment focuses on identifying an individual’s top strengths from a list of 34 talent themes. By recognizing and developing these strengths, individuals can enhance their overall performance, job satisfaction, and personal fulfillment. For instance, someone who excels in the “communication” theme could perform well in roles that involve public speaking or marketing.

TTI 12 Driving Forces: The TTI 12 Driving Forces assessment uncovers an individual’s key motivators and core values. By understanding what truly drives them, individuals can align their career choices and personal goals accordingly. For example, someone who values “making a difference” could find fulfillment in a career focused on social impact or community development.

TTI EQ: The TTI EQ assessment measures an individual’s emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, social awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and relationship management. By improving emotional intelligence, individuals can enhance their communication skills, leadership abilities, and overall emotional well-being.

MBTI: The MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) is a widely recognized assessment that identifies an individual’s personality type based on preferences. It provides insights into how people perceive the world, make decisions, and interact with others. Understanding one’s MBTI type can help individuals navigate relationships, choose suitable career paths, and improve communication.

SPARK Individual 360* Assessment: The SPARK Individual 360* Assessment gathers feedback from various perspectives, including colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates, to provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s strengths and areas for improvement. It offers valuable insights for personal and professional development by highlighting blind spots and enhancing self-awareness.

Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI): The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) assesses an individual’s leadership skills based on five core practices: modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart. It helps individuals identify their leadership strengths and areas to develop, empowering them to become more effective leaders.

Interested in learning more about yourself, your leaders, or your team?

Assessments can be valuable tools that provide individuals and teams a deeper understanding of themselves, uncovering hidden strengths, areas for growth, and providing valuable insights into their behaviors, motivations, and abilities. At Spark, we find self-awareness is the first step toward personal and professional growth. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about our assessment tools and other offerings for Team and Leadership development.