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Appendix: Essessnet Question Sets

The author lists the questions that are asked in various categories to assess the credibility of an individual in the eyes of someone asked to review him. I'm doing a cut-and-paste, as they seem to be worth considering.

Communication: Your Credibility as Judged by Your Clarity across a Variety of Settings

• Do I openly communicate what I'm thinking and feeling?
• In my communication, do I make sure all necessary parties are included?
• Does my verbal communication match my nonverbal communication?
• Do I get to the point and communicate in a concise manner?
• When using e-mail, do I provide pertinent information in a clear and organized manner?
• Do I express myself at appropriate times in appropriate places?
• Do I share my opinions effectively in meetings and groups?
• Do I listen well and respond accordingly?
• In conversation, do I stay on topic as opposed to drifting and becoming tangential?
• Do I answer questions directly and concisely?
• Do I make a conscious effort to adapt my message to the audience?
• Am I generally assertive in my communication, as opposed to being either passive or aggressive?

Conflict Management: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Your Behavior During Conflict Situations

• Do I take responsibility and ownership by acknowledging the part I've played in the conflict?
• Do I express my thoughts and feelings appropriately in conflict situations?
• In a conflict, do I focus on the issue(s) rather than the person or people involved?
• Do I seem to have a comprehensive understanding of the issues in a conflict situation?
• Am I composed and professional during times of disagreement?
• In a conflict, do I listen to all parties involved and treat every-one fairly and equally?
• In times of disagreement, do I strike you as open and willing to consider other perspectives and opinions?
• Do I treat you with respect, as opposed to having a condescending quality during conflict situations?
• Do I recognize and validate points of view that differ from mine?
• In resolving conflict, do I suspend judgment until I know all the facts?
• In resolving conflict, do I spend time looking for solutions and next steps as opposed to assigning blame or punishment?
• After a conflict situation has been resolved, do I maintain appropriate professionalism and decorum as opposed to holding grudges?

Constructive Criticism: Your Credibility as Judged by Your Ability to Accept Criticism

• Do I use criticism as a means of growth for you and/or others?
• Do I provide strengths and weaknesses when offering constructive criticism?
• Do I solicit input from you and others when offering constructive criticism?
• Do I provide criticism in a timely manner?
• Do I offer constructive criticism in appropriate places?
• Am I straightforward when offering criticism providing concrete, practical examples?
• When discussing constructive criticism, do I encourage solutions and ideas for improvement?
• Do I try to encourage agreement on action steps?
• Do I seem to put effort into following up after I either receive or deliver constructive criticism?
• Do I seek feedback regularly on my performance?
• Do I react professionally when I receive constructive criticism?
• Do I express my gratitude for your efforts in providing me feedback?

Credibility: The Flagship Questionnaire

• Do I communicate in a clear and concise manner?
• When you are talking, do I appear to be listening?
• Do I come across as having a broad, strategic view of the business?
• Do I come across as upbeat and friendly?
• Would you describe me as decisive, someone who pushes forward and moves things along?
• Do I treat you as an equal as opposed to having a condescending quality?
• Do I strike you as being open-minded?
• When I am asked a question, do I get to the point as opposed to giving a long-winded, complex answer?
• Do I handle stress well and come across as composed in high-pressure situations?
• Do I come across as inviting or at least accepting of constructive criticism as opposed to being defensive?
• Does my opinion come across as value-added on topics for which I am supposed to have expertise?
• Do I come across as a problem-solver and create a solution-oriented environment?

Decision Making: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Opportunities for Decision Making

• Would you describe me as decisive, someone who pushes forward and moves things along?
• Do I share my opinion and come across as value-added on items for which I am supposed to have expertise?
• Do I appear comfortable when making decisions?
• Are my decisions well thought out?
• Do I involve you and the team in the decision-making process?
• Do my decisions seem appropriate and topical as opposed to self-serving or having a "hidden agenda"?
• Am I open to the input of others before making a decision?
• Do I show support for the decisions that my team and I make?
• Do I suggest action steps and follow up on decisions?
• Do I challenge conventional thinking and provide insightful perspectives during the decision-making process?
• Do I give everyone a chance to be heard during the decision-making process?
• Do I act in a collaborative fashion during the decision-making process?

Downward Communication: Your Credibility as Judged by Direct Reports

• Do I provide proper direction and guidance in a clear, timely manner?
• Do I provide you with the basics necessary to accomplish your job?
• Do I make an effort to see that people aren't overworked?
• Do I delegate work and assign tasks appropriately?
• Do I treat everyone fairly and equally?
• Do I seek your input and feedback?
• Do I seem genuinely interested in what you have to say?
• Do I shoot straight with you?
• When working together, am I more likely to suspend judgment and hear you out rather than jump to conclusions?
• Do I keep you well informed and updated?
• Do I make myself available?
• Do I show appreciation for your work and the work of others?

Interpersonal Relationships: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Your Ability to Connect with Others

• Do I come across as upbeat and friendly?
• Do I make an effort to relate well to others?
• Am I polite and considerate demonstrating basic cordiality?
• Am I trustworthy and dependable?
• Do I participate in the social atmosphere inside and/or outside the workplace?
• Do I make you feel included when we're together?
• Do I generally come across as optimistic and positive?
• Do I collaborate well with others using a cooperative working style?
• When you are talking, do I appear to be listening?
• Do I help to create a relatively stress-free environment?
• Do I seem flexible and able to go with the flow?
• Would you describe me as a team player?

Interviewer Skills: Your Credibility as Seen by an Interviewee in a Recent Interview

• Did I present our organization in a professional manner?
• Did I seem to listen to your responses?
• Did I provide enough detail around what we do and the way we do it?
• Did I ask questions clearly?
• Did I come across as approachable?
• Did I clearly communicate our organizational needs and how you may fit into that objective?
• Did I ask a good mix of questions that solicited the value you could provide our organization?
• Did I create a relaxed and unthreatening environment?
• Did I seem honest and trustworthy with the information I was providing you?
• Did I seem well versed in what we are looking for?
• Did I allow you enough time to share and present yourself as opposed to monopolizing the conversation?
• Did I ask follow-up questions and seek feedback from you around clarification or additional information?

Interviewing Skills: Your Credibility as Seen by an Interviewer When You Interviewed for a Position

• Did I present myself in a professional manner?
• Did I seem to listen to your questions and respond appropriately?
• Did I provide enough detail about my background and expertise?
• Was I answering your questions in a clear and direct manner?
• Did I come across as approachable and easy to work with?
• Did the value I bring to the table seem applicable to the position and your organization?
• Did I maintain composure and minimize any anxiety I may have been experiencing?
• Did I come across as prepared and ready for the interview?
• Did I seem honest and trustworthy?
• Was I able to balance my presentation with both a broad, strategic view and a detailed level of responses?
• Did I show an appropriate amount of interest and desire?
• Was I open to your input and any suggestions you may have provided?

Leadership: Your Credibility as Judged by Your Opportunities to Lead

• Do I come across as having a broad, strategic view?
• Do others look to me as an opinion leader?
• Do I demonstrate a strong work ethic?
• Do I provide guidance and assistance to others around me?
• Am I respectful of others?
• Do I come across as inspiring and motivating?
• Do I care about the development and success of the organization, as well as the people within the organization?
• Do I provide people with the appropriate amount of support as opposed to being distant or micromanaging?
• Do you think of me as someone who recognizes and rewards good performance?
• Do my motives for supporting an idea seem open and honest as opposed to having a "hidden agenda"?
• Do I treat everyone fairly and equally?
• Am I clear in communicating my expectations and our corporate goals?

Management Skills: Your Credibility as Judged by Your Ability to Manage

• Do I ensure that people are on task and deadlines are being met?
• Do I organize our resources appropriately and clearly communicate priorities?
• Do I provide enough direction and guidance?
• Do I treat you with respect?
• Do I handle stress well and come across with composure and professionalism?
• Am I open and available for others to provide me input and feedback?
• Do I recognize and validate others' opinions and ideas?
• Am I reliable and dependable in getting things done?
• Do I demonstrate value-added expertise in the area that I manage?
• Do I provide people with the appropriate amount of support as opposed to being distant or micromanaging?
• Do I communicate upward and downward appropriately?
• Do I recognize and reward good performance?

Presentation Skills: Your Credibility as Demonstrated Through Presentation Opportunities

• Do I present in a clear and concise manner?
• Do I come across as having a broad, strategic view of the subject?
• Do I come across as engaging and interesting?
• When I'm asked a question, do I get to the point as opposed to giving a long-winded, complex answer?
• Do I easily gain your attention?
• Do I use effective evidence to prove my points?
• Does my presentation seem organized and easily understood?
• Do I handle visual aids well?
• Do I use nonverbal communication (i.e., eye contact, hand gestures, etc.) to my advantage?
• Do I appear to care about my subject?
• Do I manage my nervousness well and control any anxiety I may have?
• Do I facilitate audience participation comfortably?

Problem Solving: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Your Problem Solving

• Do I exhibit a collaborative mind-set when solving problems?
• Do I make an effort to involve others in the problem-solving process?
• Do I push for a commitment to action when solving problems?
• Do I first try to understand the situation and all perspectives involved as opposed to jumping the gun and making a quick decision?
• Am I able to explain the nature of a problem and its solutions with the appropriate level of detail and concern?
• Am I equally capable of laying out a strategy as I am of discussing tactical action?
• In the problem-solving process, do I treat you with respect as opposed to having a condescending or demeaning quality?
• When we're working together, am I more likely to suspend judgment and hear you out as opposed to jumping to conclusions?
• When I'm involved in a search for solutions with my team, do I recognize new ideas and validate other opinions?
• Do my motives for supporting an idea seem open and honest as opposed to having a "hidden agenda"?
• Am I fact based as opposed to having a reputation for exaggerating?
• When necessary, am I able to make a persuasive argument and use effective evidence to prove my points?

Strategic Thinking: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Your Strategic Mind-Set

• Do I look to capture and understand the "big picture"?
• Do I show that the work environment is fluid and adapt with flexibility?
• Do I seem to plan a couple of steps ahead and try to anticipate what is around the corner?
• Do I demonstrate composure and professionalism when the unexpected occurs?
• Do I come up with original ideas and contribute to accomplishing our strategy?
• Am I wise in the battles I choose to fight?
• Would you describe me as forward-looking and visionary?
• Am I constantly looking for new challenges, as opposed to resting on old glories?
• Do I tap diverse points of view as opposed to staying within my own comfort zone?
• Do I consider hypothetical situations by engaging in those types of discussion?
• Do I lay out my views in a logical manner?
• Am I able to see the consequences of the actions I propose?

Team Communication: Your Credibility as Judged by Team Members

• Do I share information openly and honestly with my team members?
• Do I make efforts to check in and update other team members?
• Do I make others feel as though they are integral parts of the team?
• Do I listen to the input of my fellow team members?
• Do I respond appropriately to other team members' ideas and suggestions?
• Do I treat others with respect?
• Does my opinion come across as value-added on items for which I am supposed to have expertise?
• Do I seem committed to our team goals?
• When working together, am I more likely to suspend judgment and hear you out rather than jump to conclusions?
• Have I contributed to a healthy team atmosphere?
• Do I shoot straight with all team members?
• Does our team operate with the appropriate amount of action items, meetings, and follow-ups?

Team Player: Your Credibility as a Motivator as Judged by Your Team

• Do I "hold my own" on the team and do my job accurately and timely?
• Do I foster a cohesive and collaborative atmosphere?
• Am I a source of motivation for the rest of my team, encouraging other team members?
• Do I search for people with different points of view and expertise that create a well-rounded perspective?
• Do I periodically check to see that everyone is "on the same page"?
• Do I challenge the status quo and pose things in "a different light" to spark thought from others?
• Do I deal with change in a productive manner?
• Do I recognize and acknowledge the value others provide?
• Do I appear to want to be part of a team?
• Do I show respect for team decisions, even if I may not agree with them?
• Do I demonstrate good listening behavior at team meetings?
• Do I engage with people socially as to create a bond with team members?

Technical Ability: Your Credibility as Demonstrated by Your Technical Ability

• Do I come across as competent in my tasks?
• Do I accomplish items accurately and timely?
• Do I sufficiently understand my role and what I am supposed to produce?
• Do I share my professional expertise with those around me?
• Do I bring new ideas and fresh thinking to my position?
• Does my opinion come across as value-added on topics for which I'm supposed to have expertise?
• Do I demonstrate sufficient ability and technical background?
• Do I appear to want to learn about a variety of technical topics that would make me more effective?
• Does my technical experience overshadow my ability to demonstrate the broader business perspective?
• Am I considered a "thought partner" in my particular business unit?
• Do I seem to understand our industry?
• Do I offer enough direction and guidance?

Upward Communication: Your Credibility as Judged by Those Senior to You

• Do I communicate in a clear and concise manner?
• When you are talking, do I appear to be listening?
• Do I come across as composed in high-pressure situations?
• Do I provide you with what you need to get the job done?
• Do I seem committed to our team goals?
• Do I come across as inviting or at least accepting of constructive criticism?
• Do I demonstrate the confidence and conviction needed to be an effective leader?
• Do I come across as having a broad, strategic view of the business?
• Do I have the style and business etiquette to move up in the organization?
• Am I respectful of others?
• When I'm asked a question, do I get to the point as opposed to giving a long-winded, complex answer?
• Am I able to connect the day-to-day operations with the overall organizational strategy?

EN: In the end, I think these questions imply the desired answers, and meditation upon them should be a useful method of self-assessment.

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