Building Stronger Teams in East Africa with Assessments & Workplace Insights

Using In-Depth Assessments and Workplace Insights to Build Stronger Teams in East Africa

At By Appointment Africa, we believe that successful recruitment is about much more than matching a CV to a job description. It’s about truly understanding people—how they think, communicate, and work within a team. That’s why we use comprehensive assessment tools from Criteria Corp as part of every search we conduct. For each role, our shortlisted candidates complete a tailored suite of assessments that go beyond the surface. These tools measure cognitive ability, personality traits, and emotional intelligence, providing us—and our clients—with a deeper, more complete understanding of each candidate.

Each candidate receives their own detailed report. Many tell us how insightful and useful the experience is, helping them better understand their strengths and areas to develop. For our clients, these assessments offer invaluable clarity. They help to ensure not only the best technical fit for the role, but also alignment with the organisation’s team culture and dynamics. One of the Criteria Corp tools we utilise specifically for team development is Workplace Insights. This is where things get really interesting.

Case in point: Ocean Sole

I had the opportunity to visit both Ocean Sole’s Kenya and USA offices. Before my visit, each team member had completed their Workplace Insights assessment. We then sat together in a facilitated session where everyone shared their results and reflections. What followed was a series of genuine “aha” moments. Team members found themselves saying things like, “Now I understand why you approach things the way you do!”

There was a shift in how people saw one another, and in how they saw themselves—their strengths, areas for development, and how their working style contributes to the team. It wasn’t about labels or ticking boxes—it was about understanding. And with understanding comes trust, respect and better teamwork. In East Africa’s competitive hiring landscape, retaining top talent requires more than just competitive remuneration. It requires nurturing teams where individuals feel valued, understood, and able to thrive.

At By Appointment Africa, we believe these tools are key to building not only successful teams, but long-lasting, productive working relationships.