Take the TOLATsm
The TOLATsm consists of 45 statements that you will be asked to respond to on a 5-point scale. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The cost is $12.
The TOLATsm (Team and Organization Level Assessment Tool) is the first test of its kind in the world to incorporate the Levels of Functioning with the Nine Domains. This unique test provides a clear and specific indication of the Level of Functioning of a team, a group, or even of an individual. The TOLATsm is easy to take, and does not use technical or threatening psychological language or business jargon.
Returning to complete TOLATsm from a previous Session
If this is first time you are taking the TOLATsm, please read the following.
The TOLATsm may be taken in several different ways. The following two are for your own personal reflection and understanding. In every approach to taking the TOLATsm, you will see the same statements—what changes is how you consider each of the statements depending on the specific group and period of time you are reflecting on. In whatever approach you choose, the TOLATsm provides a comprehensive “360°” consideration of a group or of yourself as an individual. That is, the results are balanced across nine distinct fundamental Domains of behavior. Once you decide what group and time period you have in mind, it is essential to maintain this same point of view throughout the survey so that the results are meaningful.
1. Taking the TOLATsm as an Individual with a Group in Mind—
The TOLATsm can be taken by an individual who keeps in mind a group they are currently or formerly a part of as they respond to each of the 45 statements of the TOLATsm.
For example, you can take the TOLATsm while keeping in mind the group you worked with at a former job to get some clarity about what worked and what did not work in that particular situation. You can also keep in mind your family—taking the TOLATsm as you recall your early family of origin or perhaps taking it from the point of view of your current family. Thus, there is a wide variety groups and teams that we may wish to have more insight about. Counselors and personal coaches will find this approach for digging deeper into a person's history with others to be a rich source of revealing information and insight into repeating patterns.
2. Taking the TOLATsm as and Individual with Oneself in Mind—
The TOLATsm can be taken by an individual to assess their own Level of Functioning. Remember that the TOLATsm assesses only Levels 3 to 7, that is, the most common areas of human functioning. This information is significant and helpful for self-awareness as well as awareness of your personal relationships. For example, if the outcome of the TOLATsm specifies that your Level of Functioning is at Level 6, the reports you will receive will explain what Level 6 means and it will be simple for you to translate this description to yourself. Doing so will give you insight into certain distorted perceptions of yourself and others in virtually every area of your lives. The information, coupled with an understanding of your type (which you can get from the RHETI) can be invaluable as a key for unlocking your potential and path of growth through your work with a counselor or coach or in your own self help. [For more about the Levels click here.]
For the main in-depth book about this subject, see Personality Types by Don Riso and Russ Hudson click here.
Please note—if you wish to use this approach to discover your own Level of Functioning, you must remember to translate the team language into personal language.
For example, the first statement of the TOLATsm is
“People on this team are able to act with a reasonable degree of initiative.”
If you are taking this as an individual to find your own Level of Functioning, you must change this mentally to something like...
“In my life, I am able to act with a reasonable degree of initiative.”
Of course you must do this for all 45 statements, mentally translating the statements from a team perspective to a personal perspective.
If you are unable or would find it confusing to make this kind of mental translation, we recommend that you do not take the TOLATsm with yourself as an individual in mind. In this case, use the TOLATsm only for consideration of a team.
Taking the TOLATsm with a Group
When the TOLATsm is administered to an entire group, it combines the 360° nature of the survey with the perspectives of all of the individuals within the group under consideration. This unlocks the full potential of the TOLATsm survey and moves it beyond reflection and “knowing where one is” (a necessary first step) to defining the critical changes necessary for real and lasting improvement within a group. In other words, it also defines the crucial next steps. This approach can only be done with a 9D Facilitator who is trained in how to administer, interpret, and design interventions and practices.
The facilitated TOLATsm provides the richest possible source of information and corrective practices for people taking the TOLATsm. For example, the Facilitated TOLATsm will not only show the aggregated results of the Level of Functioning of the group, it will specifically indicate the health and distortions of each Domain. The Facilitated TOLATsm will also make it possible to see how different groups of people within the group see things—that is, do women in this group see things the same way as men?, How do people who have worked here a long time see things differently than newcomers? Do people of different ethnic backgrounds see the group differently? These features of Domains and demographic analysis are not available to individuals taking the TOLATsm without a 9D Facilitator. The Facilitated TOLATsm is designed to be easily customizable both in demographics and in reports based on the needs of the group and the organization.
Note: Remember to be consistent in your approach and interpretation of the statements depending on what group you are focusing on or if you are focusing on yourself. For example, if you are thinking about a particular team at a particular period of time, keep in mind just that team and just that time period as you respond to each statement.
Returning to complete TOLATsm from a previous Session
After you complete the survey from a link on this page, you will receive two reports:
1) The TOLATsm Level Indicator Report will specify the Level at which you rated the team you had in mind when you took the TOLATsm or your personal Level if you chose to take the survey to discover your own Level of Functioning.
This report will also provide a brief overview of the five central Levels of Functioning for which the TOLATsm tests.
2) TOLATsm and the Levels of Functioning is a more in-depth presentation of the Levels of Functioning for groups and teams. The characteristics of each Level found in this report are about the team rather than about an individual on the team.
This longer report is available as a link within The TOLATsm Level Indicator Report.