🧠 Aren’t psychometrics just touchy-feely fluff that distract from the real work?

Ian Kirkby
Aug 7
4 min read

Good question!

I used to think that myself. After all, if there’s work to do, just do it. Consider others and crack on. You’ll know you're doing it right (or wrong) by the results.

💡 All that changed one day many years ago when I was serving as an RAF officer. The RAF had introduced the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), and I found myself taking the assessment and sitting patiently in a workshop, thinking something like ‘there are a hundred other things I could be doing with my time right now’. To say that I was not keen would be an understatement!

Then I read my assessment report. I was shocked at how accurately it had captured my motivations, reaction to conflict and preferred behaviours at work, and even more shocked to discover how others with different preferences could see me when I acted out my predilections too much.

It also showed me why others acted as they did, and why conflict could arise so easily on a team that was aligned around the same goals.

That changed everything. I now had the knowledge and language to both lead and contribute to teams in ways that maximised engagement and outputs and avoided unhealthy conflict.

🧠 To give just one example, I had a colleague whom I had always considered a bit wishy-washy and indecisive. His SDI report highlighted the primary importance of other people’s welfare to him. In contrast, mine correctly identified task accomplishment as my key motivator (note: they are not exclusive! We are all blends of different types of motivation and can always choose our behaviours). By simply understanding this, I was able to change my language and approach to him, and our working relationship was radically transformed. In fact, we even became friends for a season until postings moved us apart.

To cut a very long story mercifully short for you all, I became a management consultant with a focus on leadership and board/team development. In the 13 years since I formed Aspire MCL, I have used SDI extensively with leaders and teams of all sizes, both in one-to-one and one-to-many contexts. It has never failed to generate positive results! The testimonials tab on the Aspire MCL website showcases just some of the business and personal benefits clients have reaped. Further, SDI is a whole-life tool: not only does it enhance team dynamics and empower leaders, but it can also be used outside the workplace to improve other relationships.

✅ So, to answer the question above, ‘no’, psychometrics are not just touch-feely fluff; they are powerful aids that can make a huge difference to leaders and their teams.

I need to be honest and say they are not a ‘silver bullet’ solution to every problem, and they should not be used to pigeon-hole people. However, they are very useful in providing a range of tools that leaders and teams can employ to enhance all stakeholder relations (including external). As well as boosting engagement, they can save time, provide better granularity for understanding people, and give a common language to aid communications.

🧠Coupled with many years of practical experience, SDI is one of the tools that helps me to tailor leadership and team development programs that help clients achieve real results, fast. For example, working with a senior director and her management team at an international company, we benchmarked 9 areas for improvement and, in less than 6 months, had achieved an average improvement of nearly 45% across those areas. Importantly, they were also enjoying their work more as well (sowing the seeds, of course, for further business and personal benefits).

There is another factor: today’s workforce is looking for more. Businesses that still rely on a ‘command and control’ approach to leadership and teamworking will find that fewer and fewer people will want to work there. The new generation of managers, especially, wants to know that they are valued and have development opportunities, and that their work matters. One size does not fit all. The ability to intelligently flex leadership and teamworking styles is vital for success. Psychometrics such as SDI, particularly when coupled with a coaching/development programme, empower leaders and team workers to do so effectively.

Want to know how SDI and the like can help you and your business? DM me for a free initial consultation and find out more. Ask for the sample report to see a typical output.

🎯 Aspire MCL currently has a special offer on: Stand-alone SDI assessments normally cost £150+VAT. We have a limited number available for only £100+VAT on a first-come, first-served basis.

📩 Want to go deeper, faster? Add a one-to-one online coaching session to review your SDI results, explore your strengths and identify practical, personalised applications for only £350 + VAT.

Note: In-person option available if expenses are covered.

This offer is ideal for:

✔️ Leaders and managers

✔️ Coaches and consultants

✔️ Boards or teams wanting to boost performance

✔️ Individuals on a personal development journey

Act today and take the first step to realising YOUR potential!