Assessments Are Fun. Now What?

Let's be honest—assessments are fun. Most of us enjoy discovering something new about

ourselves. We like seeing our results, comparing notes with family members, friends, or coworkers, and finally having language that helps explain why we think, communicate, and lead the way we do. Whether it's the Maxwell DISC, Working Genius, or The Culture Scorecard, there's usually a moment when we read the report and think, "Wow, that sounds exactly like me."

The challenge is that awareness by itself doesn't create growth.

An assessment is a tool, not a destination. It gives us information, reveals patterns, and increases self-awareness, which is incredibly valuable. Yet growth doesn't happen because we learned something new about ourselves. Growth happens when we decide to do something with what we've learned.

I often see people get excited about their assessment results, share them with others, and then file them away. Months later, nothing has changed. Their communication is the same. Their leadership is the same. Their relationships are the same. The assessment wasn't the problem. The missing piece was application.

When I think about personal growth, I'm reminded of the Comfort Zone model. 

Most of us begin in a place that feels safe and familiar. We know what to expect, we feel in control, and life feels relatively comfortable. There is certainly nothing wrong with being comfortable. The problem arises when comfort becomes a permanent residence rather than a launching point for growth.

The reality is that every meaningful step forward requires us to leave what is familiar. That's where many people encounter the Fear Zone. This is the place where self-doubt begins to whisper, excuses become easier to make, and the opinions of others suddenly seem much more important. Ironically, this is also where many people stop after taking an assessment. They learn something important about themselves, recognize an opportunity for growth, and then hesitate because applying that knowledge feels uncomfortable.

Maybe your DISC results revealed a communication habit that's limiting your effectiveness. Maybe your Working Genius results helped you realize that you're spending most of your time doing work that drains your energy rather than work that brings you joy. Maybe your Culture Scorecard results exposed gaps in trust, communication, or accountability within your team. Whatever the discovery, the assessment has done its job. The question becomes whether you're willing to do yours.

As we move beyond fear and into the Learning Zone, we begin stretching ourselves in new ways. We develop skills, embrace challenges, and gain confidence through experience. This is where growth becomes visible because we're no longer simply collecting information—we're putting it into practice.

That leads me to a question I often ask coaching clients:

Where are you in your growth journey?

Have you been gathering information and building awareness, or are you intentionally applying what you've learned?

A second question is equally important:

What have you learned about yourself that you need to apply?

Perhaps you've discovered that difficult conversations make you uncomfortable. Perhaps you've realized that your greatest strengths are sitting unused. Perhaps you've learned that your team culture needs more intentional attention than you've been giving it. Whatever the lesson, growth begins when we move from knowing to doing.

Another question worth considering is this:

What's keeping you from investing in yourself and moving forward?

For some people it's fear. For others it's time, money, uncertainty, or even the belief that they can figure it out on their own. Yet the most successful people I've worked with have one thing in common: they view personal growth as an investment rather than an expense. They understand that becoming a better leader, spouse, parent, teammate, or business owner requires intentional effort.

I'd love to walk alongside you on the journey. Please reach out.

I look forward to chatting with you soon!

Kris

More about Kris:https://www.leadershipharbor.com/kris

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