The Power of Practice: VISION’s Assessment Sharing Practice
Speech Acts draw attention to a special kind of language which generates change in the world – words which get things done. Read my blog post Speech Acts: Driving Efficiency Through the Language of Action. At VISION, we pay special attention to speech acts because the degree to which they are used effectively is predictive of the success – or not – of an enterprise.
An Assessment is one kind of speech act. Assessments are personal judgments —something like “I think you’re great at bringing calm to chaotic situations,” or “I don’t think you enjoy this work.” Assessments are not about “truth” in the objective sense. They are about offering your perspective, to reveal how things matter to you.
One of my coaches often used the phrase “humans are assessment-making machines.” We are constantly making assessments about the world around us – some conscious, some subconscious. We make them quickly, and once made we are slow to change them – hence the phrase, “first impressions count.”
Although we are constantly making assessments, we often hold back from expressing what we really think about each other or a situation. When we fail to share assessments, we allow ourselves to believe a story about the world that makes our subjective views an objective reality. We miss the opportunity to have conversations where we learn something new, understanding the point of view of a colleague that we did not understand before, or open up a new way of working together that we didn’t think was possible. Instead, that space gets filled with hidden moods—like fear, resentment, or resignation—that drag down productivity and trust.
Assessment Sharing is a practice we have designed to break that cycle. In small groups, each person shares both a positive and negative assessment with every other participant. These aren’t performance reviews. They’re not complaints or requests either. They are personal and subjective viewpoints shared in the spirit of producing a better way of working together moving forward. Sessions are highly structured, and often the real work is in preparing participants to come into the meeting in the right mood and spirit of openness.
We invest a lot of time into this practice, because when assessments are shared intentionally, something shifts:
- People start saying what they see instead of hiding it.
- Moods change—from stuck to energized, from guarded to engaged.
- Conversations become more authentic, and conversations that seemed improper or uncomfortable prior to the session become natural.
- Levels of trust improve
My experience with Assessment Sharing
Here are 3 of my key learnings from facilitating and participating in assessment sharing practices over the last number of years.
Prevention as well as cure
We often make use of Assessment Sharing in moments of breakdown with teams – to clear the air, honestly share concerns, and put the team in position to rebuild. However, the practice is just as valuable as a way to maintain excellence. Even when we are working with high performing teams there are moments in time when we can sense trouble ahead. On the surface delivery appears to be going well but there are murmurs and whispers in the background that are hints to slipping standards and budding resentments. In these moments, assessment sharing is a practice which can revitalise a team and avoid more serious problems down the road.
Positive Assessments are just as important as Negative Assessments
I have always been more comfortable receiving negative assessments – “here’s what you could work on” – and I’ve also seen those as more valuable for my development. I spent many years dismissing positive assessments as nice to hear but ultimately not that useful. I attribute this blindness to a Catholic Irish background that embraces a certain kind of punishment as ethical whilst viewing self-congratulation with suspicion! Thanks to some good coaching, I have come around to the realisation that I can learn just as much about myself from positive assessments as the negative. I often see the same pattern happening with clients looking to work more effectively. The focus tends primarily to be on what is going wrong, when often huge strides could be made by sharpening practices that are already effective and bringing that way of working to a broader section of the business. For individuals as well as organisations, being really clear about what your colleagues and customers appreciate about you is an important edge.
Be clear on the scope and manage it tightly
As a facilitator in a session, my responsibility is to manage the structure rigorously – almost to the point of rigidity. This is not generally my preferred way of working, but assessment sharing sessions have the potential to stir up emotions and frustrations that are historic and deep seated. Even when this is not the case, the natural temptation of participants can be to challenge an assessment – “I can see why you might think that, but here’s why you’re wrong.” This kind of conversation holds no place during the session. A little exploration is good to help understand the other person’s point of view, but the purpose of sharing assessments is not to argue who is right or wrong. Rather, we went to create a space for a new set of conversations to happen, conversations that would not have been possible without the assessment being shared.
Assessment Sharing is a simple practice, but its impact is profound. By voicing our perspectives, both the affirming and the challenging, we move away from assumptions and toward deeper understanding. We break down unspoken barriers, creating space for trust, authenticity, and real collaboration.
At VISION, we’ve seen time and again how this practice transforms teams. It’s not always comfortable, but discomfort often signals growth. When we share assessments with care and intention, we open the door to conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise – conversations that lead to stronger relationships, better performance, and a culture where people feel seen and valued. The next time you hesitate to share an assessment, ask yourself: What new possibilities could emerge if I spoke up?
Ready to transform the way your team collaborates? Discover how Assessment Sharing can strengthen trust, improve communication, and drive performance. Get in touch to learn how VISION can support your team. Email us at info@vision.com to start the conversation.
