Truth-Teller Assessment Objectives
The Truth-Teller Assessment is the most critical aspect for uncovering your Blindspots. This task requires you to have a conversation with preferably multiple trusted confidants, advisors or mentors on identifying those areas of weakness or the factors that are keeping you from achieving success and how you can improve to best achieve your goal. You will be asking them similar questions as asked in your own self-assessment but in this situation – you are the listener. Your goal is to be open and willing to receive constructive feedback. It is critical that you not get defensive or feel the need to counter any feedback or assessment. This activity is one of exploration. You are merely asking the questions, listening and recording their feedback. No matter what is said, remember that you want hard truths even if they are counter to what you may believe. Although it may be tough to take in, often the most difficult to hear critiques or feedback result in the finding your actual Blindspots. You will be using your Self-Awareness Assessment from Course 1 to help guide your discussions with your various Truth-Tellers.
Finding Your Truth-Tellers
Before you start this exercise let me provide a little background on selection of your Truth-Tellers. It’s important to have people in your life who you can confide in and trust with your thoughts and feelings. These people can be a friend, family member, previous or existing supervisors or work colleagues or even a therapist. Above all else, they must be people you can trust. The act of sharing your emotions with someone can be incredibly therapeutic and can help you process your experiences in a healthy way. They need to be a good listener and communicator as you need someone who can offer perspective, new insight, courage and tact to provide you with a hard to hear truth. Critical as well is someone that supports your process for growth and provides empathy during a difficult conversation.
Choosing Truth-Tellers you can trust is critical because you cannot hold yourself back from opening up to someone. If you are afraid of being judged or rejected, this will not allow you to get the feedback you need or deserve. Being worried about burdening someone with your problems is normal but if you choose the right Truth-Tellers they will understand and be willing to help.
Additionally, having Truth-Tellers in your life can help you gain a greater sense of self-awareness. By sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone else, you can gain insight into your own motivations, fears, and desires. This can help you better understand yourself and make more informed decisions about your life. It can also help you identify patterns in your thinking or behavior that may be holding you back or causing you distress. With the help of a trusted confidant, you can identify weaknesses or areas to improve that you were not aware of or did not want to face.
However, who you pick as a Truth-Teller should also have some insight into the goal or vision you are hoping to achieve. For example, if your goal is get promoted in your workplace, perhaps the feedback you need would be more valuable from someone with knowledge of workplace (or even your own specific workplace) dynamics, hiring processes, cultures, politics, personalities and job requirements. Ideally at least one truth-teller should be able to provide feedback for you based on their experience and expertise in that specific arena.
Course 2 Exercises
For this course, you will be performing the following tasks:
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Consider who in your life might be good candidates as Truth-Tellers. Think about people you trust and who have demonstrated the qualities you’re looking for. Consider how you will approach the conversation and what you want to share with them.
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Reach out to these potential truth-tellers and inform them of your intent and goals as stated in the worksheets provided with this course.
- Work through the various questions as stated in the worksheets provided with this course as a means to guide the conversation and achieve the feedback you need for the purpose or goal stated in Course 1.
Establishing the appropriate Truth-Tellers is paramount. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can explore and review together to select the best individuals for this self-exploration process. If you’re ready to begin identifying your Blindspots – download the .pdfs below. Remember, at any time, if you questions or concerns about this process – I’m here to help.
Worksheet 1: Truth-Teller Summary
A Radical Vision – Course 2 – Identifying Your Blindspots
Worksheet 2: Truth-Teller Assessment Template
A Radical Vision – Identifying Your Blindspots – Truth Teller Assessment Template
Next Steps
Now that you’ve completed the first two courses your next task is to review your assessments and feedback, and work to truly define your Blindspots. This is accomplished by moving on to “Course 3 – Achieving Sight” and by simply clicking on this link. In addition, by completing the first two courses and then signing up to take all the remaining courses to go from BLINDNESS to SIGHT and toward VISION you will receive the following:
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A Radical Vision newsletter
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“Sometimes it Does Take a Brain Surgeon” book
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One-on-one coaching throughout the entire process
Remember, taking just one more step will allow you to stay focused on moving you or your organization forward and towards A Radical Vision.
