Assess for the Best: The Top 7 Leadership Assessments That Actually Predict Success (7 to 1 Countdown)

Hey leaders!  

Let’s talk about the elephant in the boardroom. I’ve got CHROs calling me all the time saying, “We’ve done Myers-Briggs with the whole team, we’ve invested in DISC training, we’ve even run everyone through StrengthsFinder… but our leadership development is still hit-or-miss.” 

Sound familiar? Of course it does. Here’s the real problem: you’re using the most popular assessments, not the most predictive ones. 

Now, don’t get me wrong—MBTI and CliftonStrengths are household names. Myers-Briggs is the most widely recognized personality assessment in the world. CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) is one of the most beloved tools for identifying talent. But listen—popularity doesn’t equal prediction. 

After working with hundreds of executives and watching up close what separates the leaders who thrive from the ones who flame out, I’m giving you my definitive countdown. The top 7 assessments that move you beyond personality profiling and into real leadership intelligence. Let’s go. 

#7: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – The Universal Language 
I had to put this one in here. Let’s be honest—everybody knows their four letters. ENTJ, ISFJ, INFP… we’ve all been there. 

Here’s why MBTI still makes the list: it gives teams a common language. When your ENTJ CEO finally understands why your ISFJ HR Director processes decisions differently, friction goes down and empathy goes up. 

But here’s the limitation: MBTI tells you about preferences, not capabilities. Being an ENTJ doesn’t make you a great leader any more than being an ISFP makes you a poor one. It’s descriptive, not predictive. 

Best for: Building shared vocabulary and improving team communication. 

#6: Everything DiSC Work of Leaders – Behavioral Adaptability Under Pressure 
Now we’re stepping up a little. Everything DiSC Work of Leaders is all about leadership behaviors—how you lead under different circumstances. 

I like this one because it’s not just about your style, it’s about how adaptable you are. It tells that High D leader, “Hey, you’ve got to slow down when you’re casting vision.” And it nudges that High S leader, “You’ve got to turn up the urgency when it’s time to execute.” 

That’s what makes it powerful. It shows you where your natural style works and where it doesn’t. 

Best for: Established leaders who need to see how their behavior impacts effectiveness in real time. 

#5: CliftonStrengths – The Strengths Revolution Foundation 
Now, CliftonStrengths. This one is close to my heart because Marcus Buckingham flipped the whole field of leadership on its head. He proved that focusing on strengths—not weaknesses—is the real path to excellence. 

This tool helps leaders know their top 5 themes out of 34. And that’s gold because great leaders don’t waste time trying to be well-rounded. They double down on what they do best and partner for the rest. 

Here’s the kicker: people who use their strengths every day are six times more engaged at work. Six times. That’s not a stat you can ignore. 

But here’s why it’s sitting at number 5. It’s amazing for development. It’s not a predictor of derailment. 

Best for: Personal development and helping teams leverage collective strengths. 

#4: Predictive Index (PI) – The Science of Leadership Drives 
Now we’re getting scientific. The Predictive Index is clean, clear, and powerful. 

It measures four drives: dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality. And when you layer on the cognitive piece, you get insight into mental agility—which is one of the best predictors of leadership success in complex roles. 

It’s precise. It’s science-based. It tells you what you really need to know: how this leader is going to show up when the pressure hits. 

Best for: Data-driven organizations that want rigor and precision in selection, succession, and team design. 

#3: Birkman Method – Whole-Person Leadership Insight 
This one doesn’t get talked about enough. The Birkman Method is a powerhouse because it shows you three things most tools miss: your usual behavior, your underlying needs, and your stress behaviors. 

That matters because leadership isn’t about who you are when everything’s smooth. It’s about who you become when your needs aren’t met or when pressure spikes. 

This tool helps leaders predict and prevent derailers. It explains why one leader craves collaboration while another craves autonomy—and how those differences can either tear a team apart or make it unstoppable. 

Best for: Senior leadership teams that need to understand blind spots, reduce stress-related failures, and align environments with what people actually need to thrive. 

#2: EQi 2.0 – Emotional Intelligence Mastery 
Now, if I could only pick one skill to separate leaders who make it from leaders who break, it would be this: emotional intelligence. 

The EQi 2.0 measures 15 competencies across self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal skills, decision-making, and stress management. In plain language: it shows you if a leader can keep it together, influence others, and build trust when the stakes are high. 

The workplace report is what makes it shine. It translates EQ into actionable leadership behaviors. 

Best for: High-stakes environments where influence, trust, and emotional regulation make or break the game. 

#1: Hogan Assessment Suite – The Gold Standard 
And here we are. Number one. No contest. 

Hogan is the most researched, the most validated, the most predictive leadership assessment out there. Full stop.