An organization without quality assessments is like an airplane without GPS Navigation. You might be flying high and fast, but you have no way to determine if you’re heading to your destination.
Many leaders use helpful assessments (i.e., metrics, survey’s, KPI’s, etc.) but there’s one assessment many leaders aren’t willing to take.
Most leaders gravitate to assessments that measure their “outward” standards like net profit margin or customer loyalty but are less likely to assess the standards of their “inner life”. Certainly, assessments measuring outward metrics are very important, but the Scriptures call us to a much higher standard.
Consider the life of King David. There is more about David’s leadership in the Bible than any other person. And, who else in Scripture could match his killer instincts in getting the job done outwardly. Yet, David set the bar for every leader in establishing the importance of assessing his inner life when he prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24 NIV)
Note how David’s self-assessment is theocentric. He’s allowing his heart and actions to be an “open book” for the all-knowing God to thoroughly probe. Nothing is held back.
In our BLE FORGE Forums, we’ve simplified a process called “Triple-A Assessment” which breaks down David’s prayer into a practical process for leader self-assessment. Outlined below is the process that can help guide you in aligning with God honoring beliefs, practices, and attitudes.
- Assess – In “assessing” it’s essential to measure ourselves against God’s standards. Our human capacity is limited, and we need divine illumination through God’s Word and His Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 states – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (NLT)
- Acknowledge – This involves “celebrating” the good aspects of where you are as well as “honestly admitting” what’s missing in your life. In some instances, this may necessitate confessing wrongs you’ve done intentionally or unintentionally. Paul directs us to follow this practice when he directs us to “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test Yourselves…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT).
- Adjust – This simply means to re-direct or change what you’ve been thinking, doing or being. In the Bible, this is called “repentance”. This involves our entire being (i.e., mind, will and emotions) seeking God for his grace and empowerment for change. “So, all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
I hope this helps you in cultivating a lifestyle that regularly practices this Biblical process that will mature you as a person and as a leader.