Please don’t get me wrong.
I am a believer in the value of self-awareness. I agree that assessment tools and 360-degree feedback can be wonderfully helpful in growing greater self-awareness. This is why we use assessments extensively with the Arrow Leadership Program™.
Over the years, depending on which assessment was in vogue, I picked up a laundry list of letters, colors, shapes, types of animals and/or wings that represented my preferences, wiring, strengths and personality. Some of these assessments have been more helpful, memorable, fun or confusing than others, but each one has added another lens to my own self-awareness.
My general support for assessment tools aside, I want to gently offer three cautions:
1. Remember that the truest thing about you is what God says about you. You may glean some profound insights from the latest and greatest assessment, but what God says about you needs to be first and foremost. That God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made is more foundational than being a “blue,” “D,” “ENTJ” or “golden retriever.” The truths of Ephesians 1:3-11 are more foundational than being a “number.” It’s best to build our foundation on God’s truth and use other insights as helpful supports.
God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made is more foundational than being a “blue,” “D,” “ENTJ” or “golden retriever.” Click To Tweet2. While your assessment type might help you better understand when you are at your best or what might be stressful, the Holy Spirit has ultimate override authority on everything. God may choose to place you in settings and situations that don’t fit your assessment profile. The only response is to depend on Him and obey. God also has the right and power to break you out of any human-made assessment construct at any time.
3. Keep the end in mind. As disciples and leaders, the end goal is to become more like Jesus. As Paul writes, we are to have “…Christ formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). In becoming more like Jesus, your assessment type isn’t a free pass or excuse to act in any way contrary to the way of Jesus.
Your assessment type isn’t a free pass or excuse to act in any way contrary to the way of Jesus. Click To TweetAssessments can bring some helpful and interesting perspectives; they also come and go. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and seek first His Kingdom and righteousness regardless.
Cheering you on to Lead Different,
Dr. Steve A. Brown
President, Arrow Leadership
