The Power of Self-Assessment in Vision and Goal Setting

Ashley Middleton
Jan 5
4 min read

Creating a vision and setting meaningful goals is more than just writing down your aspirations on a piece of paper. I know you’ve been there, because so have I! You get inspired, make a list of things you want to achieve, and then… life happens. Goals get sidelined, priorities shift, and that initial spark fizzles out. So, how do we break the cycle?

It starts with self-assessment.

At RADI8 Coaching & Development, I’ve learned that understanding yourself—what drives you, what holds you back, and where you truly shine—is the game-changer. That’s where tools like the Hogan Assessment and StrengthsFinder come in. These, along with other tools like VIA Strengths, MBTI, and Emotional Intelligence assessments, are the secret weapons that help you bridge the gap between dreaming and doing.

Why Self-Assessment Matters

Here’s the deal: you can’t create a powerful vision or set effective goals without knowing yourself first. Self-assessment is the foundation for:

Understanding Your Strengths and Blind Spots: You’re a unique mix of talents and quirks. Knowing where you excel (and where you might trip up) lets you play to your strengths while addressing areas for growth.
Clarifying Your Values: Goals are much easier to stick to when they align with what you genuinely care about.
Setting Realistic, Achievable Goals: I’m all about dreaming big, but without self-awareness, we risk overcommitting or setting goals that just don’t fit.

Dr. Robert Hogan nailed it when he said, “Self-awareness is the cornerstone of effective leadership.” And it’s not just for leaders! Whether you’re running a business, managing a team, or leading your own life, self-assessment helps you show up as the best version of yourself.

My Favorite Assessments (and Why They’re So Good)

Let me break down some of the tools I love to use with my clients:

Hogan Assessment

This tool is the real deal for deep personality insights. It helps you understand:

Leadership Potential: How your personality impacts your leadership style.
Derailers: Let’s be real—everyone has behaviors that can get in the way. This tool shines a light on yours so you can tackle them head-on.
Core Motivations: Find out what truly lights your fire.

StrengthsFinder

This one is all about your superpowers. It reveals your unique mix of 34 strengths, like adaptability, communication, or strategic thinking. You can then lean into these to build a life and career that feel authentic. This is also a powerful tool for team building, enabling you to hire or collaborate with individuals whose strengths complement areas where you may need additional support.

VIA Strengths

This tool digs into character strengths like kindness, perseverance, and creativity. It’s perfect for aligning personal values with professional goals.

MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)

You’ve probably heard of MBTI. It uncovers your personality preferences—like whether you’re energized by people or quiet time—so you can make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and work smarter.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

EQ is the secret sauce for managing relationships, handling stress, and leading with empathy. The better you understand your emotions (and those of others), the more effective you’ll be in everything you do.

How Self-Assessment Fuels Vision Setting

I’m a firm believer in working smarter, not harder. Here’s how these tools help you create a vision and set goals that stick:

Identify Your Why: Tools like Hogan and VIA Strengths help you uncover the deeper “why” behind your goals.
Align Goals with Strengths: StrengthsFinder ensures your goals build on what you already do well.
Address Challenges: By understanding your derailers through Hogan or emotional triggers via EQ, you can proactively manage obstacles.

Let’s Make It Practical

You know I’m all about action, so here are some simple steps to get started:

Choose the Right Tools: Start with one or two assessments. (If you’re unsure, I can help you pick the best ones!)
Reflect on Results: Don’t just glance at your results and move on. Take time to journal about them or discuss them with me as your coach.
Set Actionable Goals: Use insights to create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals.
Revisit and Adjust: Self-assessment isn’t one-and-done. Check in regularly to see how your goals are evolving.

Resources to Explore

I can’t leave you without the tools to thrive, so here’s a quick list to dive into:

Books:

"StrengthsFinder 2.0" by Tom Rath
"Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
"Personality and the Fate of Organizations" by Robert Hogan

Articles:

Ready to Unlock Your Potential?

I’m stepping into 2025 with boldness and intention, and I want you to do the same.

At RADI8 Coaching & Development, we use powerful tools like Hogan and StrengthsFinder to help you get clear on your vision, set goals that align with your strengths, and take action like never before.

Visit RADI8Coaching.com to schedule your consultation today. Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.

Ready. Set. Go!

Reflection Question: What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through self-assessment?

As always, drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!