Good quality behavioual preference (personallity) assessments are extremely useful in guiding development.  These are superior to many reports typically used during team-building activities and provide a deep, evidence-based and defensible starting point to executive development.  A thorough executive assessment package gives the added ability to tackle deeper issues and is highly valued by executives in senior programs.  A typical assessment involves behavioural preference, values, motivations and is backed by professional feedback and a validation process. This process is conducted within the first month of coaching and referred to in future sessions as issues arise.  Some organisations have selected their own assessments and these can be integrated where they are of the correct quality.