Being honest with yourself is a tough thing to do, particularly for people who have built up a wall of ignorance. I often recommend they reach out to others that they trust (ideally 5 or more people) and ask for frequent feedback about their behavior. Chances are that if two or more people make the same comment, it's true, and the individual should begin looking for evidence of that in the things they do.
Do you have any other recommendations for people to become more objective about themselves?
Oh! That's a really good exercise!
I would also say another good exercise is to get 10 or so friends to anonymously write criticism on blank paper and put it in a box. Read it later away from them
Absolutely. Don't forget positive feedback, as well. Many people put themselves down even when they're quite good at a particular thing. They need to know that too!
Oh definitely! Any anonymous feedback is a plus. People are more inclined to say how they feel then. If it's good, or bad. The last service I ran, there was an anon feedback box I set up. Very interesting it was to be honest!
I can imagine it was quite interesting!
It was. I often got in to notes like, "Bring Jim back, you suck" Jim being the last IT guy they had, haha