One of the hallmarks of successful employees is their ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to the vast number of problems they encounter on the job. Identifying, enhancing, and reinforcing your employees’ efforts to engage in creative thinking is critical. You should be doing this informally throughout the employee-evaluation period, and you should specifically target this area during the formal reviews.
Problem-solving
Exceptional: Consistently exceeds expectations
Uses an arsenal of creative strategies to productively solve a wide range of problems
Consistently generates outstanding solutions to the most demanding problems
Focuses on solving problems, not on symptoms
Has powerful analytical skills that she applies to every stage of the problem-solving process
Establishes workable, prioritized, and highly effective problem-solving plans for each problem, instead of instantly jumping in and trying to solve them all
Varies his problem-solving style to meet the nature and demands of the problem itself
Approaches all problems with confidence and the expectation that she will generate solid and innovative solutions
Actively seeks out problems that require the most creative thinking
Excellent: Frequently exceeds expectations
Is a highly effective problem solver from start to finish
Comes up with creative strategies when other employees are stuck
Is frequently sought for a second look at problems that have stumped other employees
Takes a fresh look at problems and identifies new inroads to solve them
Creatively uses state-of-the-art technology to help in the problem-solving process
Finds solutions that have eluded many others
Fully competent: Meets expectations
Defines and understands problems before attempting to solve them
Is a tenacious problem solver
Has a broad range of problem-solving skills that he applies effectively to all problems and problem situations
Is confident in her creative methods and unafraid to take a stand
Creatively works his way around, over, under, or through obstacles in the problem-solving process
Solves problems before they become crises
Marginal: Occasionally fails to meet expectations
Gets stumped on the more challenging problems and quickly moves on to others that are easier to solve
Generates average solutions to problems that could yield far more positive results if approached more creatively
Is uninterested in new problem-solving strategies
Focuses excessively on superficial issues, while often overlooking the deeper cause of the problem
Identifies problems, but takes inadequate steps to resolve them
Rushes through problems that require more thorough analysis
Is reluctant to make recommendations based on her findings
Unsatisfactory: Consistently fails to meet expectations
Employs problem-solving techniques that end up generating even more problems
Creates more problems than he solves
Overlooks or underestimates problems until they’ve become major issues
Analyzes minor issues and lets larger problems fester and grow
Decides on the solution to a problem before starting her analysis
Comes up with solutions that are incorrect, insufficient, and invalid
Thinking outside the box
Exceptional: Consistently exceeds expectations
Approaches problems with an open mind and without preconceived notions
Questions assumptions regarding the significance of each piece of data and reassesses the value of each
Looks at issues, questions, and dilemmas from every angle and generates entirely new ways to resolve them
Is unrestrained by traditional problem-solving approaches, strategies, or expectations
Generates productive outcomes by including unlikely people or resources in the problem-solving process
Is unconcerned with others’ opinions regarding the approach or style that he’s using
Keeps an ongoing log of her creative ideas in order to continuously enhance them
Thinks outside the box by moving out of his workstation or office in order to literally look at a problem in a different light
Excellent: Frequently exceeds expectations
Productively integrates people, processes, and systems that seemingly don’t go together at all
Takes concepts that are cast in stone and then shatters, reshapes, or redefines them to generate more productive ideas and solutions
Excludes seemingly essential components to open the door to a wider range of creative solutions
Is open to totally different ideas, assumptions, and strategies
Isn’t afraid to make mistakes
Doesn’t give up in the face of doubtful comments by others who observe her unorthodox style
Fully competent: Meets expectations
Avoids yesterday’s problem-solving strategies
Enjoys working on projects that require creative thinking and solutions
Has attended training sessions that focus on creative thinking and problem solving
Uses his excellent observational skills to find overlooked pieces of data that can open up entirely new ways to solve problems
Has an unconventional problem-solving style that yields better-than-conventional results
Is always looking for new and productive ways to use everyday items
Marginal: Occasionally fails to meet expectations
Overly satisfied with the status quo
Is afraid of making a wrong decision
Regards unconventional thinking as too risky
Has negative feelings and expectations when engaged in thinking that is slightly different from her traditional approach
At the first sign of a problem, immediately reverts from creative thinking to overly structured thinking
Believes that he is already thinking outside the box, but his actions indicate otherwise
Unsatisfactory: Consistently fails to meet expectations
Is far more comfortable thinking inside the box
Rarely challenges assumptions
Is unwilling to change her thinking style, regardless of recent questionable decisions
Refuses to attend programs that focus on creative thinking
Only takes on projects that can be handled with very conventional thinking
Avoids projects that call for creative thinking
Regards the concept of thinking outside the box as a fad