Self-Assessment: Problem-Solving Style
Each item in the following assessment reflects something that a person might say or think. For each item, indicate
how well this statement describes you when you are interacting with teammates. Use the following scale:
1 = never (not at all like me)
2 = rarely
3 = sometimes
4 = frequently
5 = always (very much describes me)
1. I prefer that the team think through an idea completely before we start working on it. 4
2. I quickly become impatient with long team deliberations. 3
3. I am always willing to consider new possibilities for solving a problem. 4
4. When my team is given a technical problem, I prefer that we begin figuring out the technical details as soon as
possible. 2
5. When my team is given a technical problem, I prefer that we make sure we completely understand “the big
picture” and end goals before we start thinking about the technical details. 4
6. I prefer that the team focus on getting things done as quickly as possible. 2
7. I think it is useful to spend time weighing the pros and cons of different ways to approach a problem before the
team begins making any concrete plans. 4
8. Teams that spend a lot of time talking about ideas up front are just wasting time that could be used actually
working on the project. 2
Add up your responses to the odd-numbered statements. If your score is greater than 13, you exhibit
characteristics of a holistic problem-solving style.
Add up your responses to the even-numbered statements. If your score is greater than 13, you exhibit
characteristics of an action-oriented problem-solving style.
Note: The self-assessments here focus on styles that sometimes come into conflict and are by no means
comprehensive. You may find that you score low on both scales or that you exhibit some characteristics of both
the holistic and action-oriented problem-solving styles. In that case, simply choose the description that seems to
fit you the best.
