In early 2019, I underwent my 360Reach Assessment which is a survey that you invite your friends, family, clients and colleagues to complete that measures how others perceive you.

I was studying for my Certified Personal Brand Strategist credential and we were required to do so to complete the program. The survey takes between 10 and 20 minutes to complete.

Unlike corporate 360-degree assessments, this tool is 100% focused on your reputation, skills, and qualities. Corporate 360-degree assessments focus on competencies required to be successful in the organization and are designed to benefit the company, not the employee personally. Both types of assessments are obviously important, but they differ.

The survey is 100% anonymous which means that your respondents feel comfortable being candid. How others perceive you may be entirely different from your self-perception which is why the tool is so helpful. Once you understand how others perceive you, you can use this golden information to change the way you communicate with others (in the case of a weakness, for example).

My own 360Reach survey assessment was transformational and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to do it. If you’re not ready for a 360Reach assessment, you can ask your close network of friends and family to participate in a short questionnaire.

Here are a few questions to get you started:

“Dear _______. I am gathering information as part of my career plan. I would be honored if you would provide me with your feedback on my top three skills, gifts and abilities based on our work together. This information will help me create my career marketing materials.”

I’m astonished at how willing others are to help. As with the 360Reach assessment and the above tool, I recommend only sending this to people who know you well—and those whom you trust. Unless you have a third party administer this, the feedback may not be as candid.

I was astounded at the feedback I received from my own 360 assessment—I learned insights that I had no idea about—this information was incredibly helpful (both negative and positive).

Heading into the holiday weekend, I’m happy to take some downtime. Here is the view from our lake house near Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada. We’ll be spending the holiday swimming, canoeing, kayaking and floating around the lake in our new floating barge, complete with an electric motor.

Blessings to you and your family. Happy Canada Day & Happy 4th of July.