The Assessment Trap

A coach recently asked me a simple question:

“What’s the best assessment?”

My answer was probably not what they expected.

“It depends.”

Over the years, I’ve seen coaches spend thousands of dollars becoming certified in assessments, only to discover they invested in tools that were not right for them. I’ve also seen coaches collect assessment after assessment, hoping the next instrument will provide the breakthrough their clients need.

It’s an easy trap to fall into.

The assessment industry is filled with compelling marketing, impressive reports, and promises of transformational insights. The reality is much more practical.

There are best-in-class assessments, and there are assessments that simply may not be the right fit for the client, the coach, or the objective. No assessment is 100% correct, and no assessment should be used without understanding what it measures, how it measures it, and how the results should be applied.

One of the biggest mistakes coaches can make is choosing an assessment before clearly defining the problem they are trying to solve.

That’s why the best coaching engagements begin with better questions:

• What are we trying to understand?
• What problem are we trying to solve?
• What information would help us make a better decision?
• What tool will best support the desired outcome?

Only then should we evaluate which assessment tool is right.

Another trap is assuming that more data is always better. The goal is not to collect data. The goal is to create meaningful insight that leads to action.

The moment an assessment becomes more important than the coaching conversation, you’ve fallen into the trap.

In many coaching engagements, one best-in-class total person assessment combined with a quality rater feedback assessment is often more than sufficient. A total person assessment helps you understand the individual at their core, while a feedback assessment helps you understand how others experience that individual.

Another big surprise to many coaches is that not all assessments are created equal. Ask for a copy of the technical manual and review the validity and reliability. Coaches have a responsibility to understand the science behind the tools they use and ensure the information they provide is credible, relevant, and aligned with the client’s goals.

As coaches, our value is not determined by how many assessments we are certified to administer. Our value comes from our ability to help clients make sense of the information, identify what matters most, and translate insight into meaningful change.

The most powerful assessment is the one that helps your client achieve the outcome they’re looking for.

We recognize that navigating the assessment landscape can be overwhelming. That’s one of the reasons Mindful Workforce Solutions (formerly Summit Assessment Solutions) has partnered with the Center for Executive Coaching, providing data-driven insights and access to best-in-class assessments. CEC members receive complimentary strategy calls and discounted assessment pricing. Reach out to us whether you’re considering an assessment, exploring certification options, or looking for guidance on selecting the right solution for a client engagement. We’re always here to support your success.

Andrea Pacholek, PCC
Founder & CEO
Mindful Workforce Solutions