Hi Mike
Thought provoking article., thank you.  As you say, It's unfortunate but sometimes true,  leaders (and all of us at times..I think :) can demonstrate a disconnect between their self image and how others see them. As to measuring an employees views about their own growth; I used a system in the UK whereby succession planning was linked directly to performance review.  Employees were able to describe their promotion/development ambitions and the manager had to confirm (or otherwise) the employee had both potential and opportunity to realise them.  Although  not widely used as could be considered subjective and raising false expectations, I felt the benefits far outweighed those risks, and it certainly demonstrated where managers either wouldn't or couldn't support their employees to grow.