I am sure we have all seen a variety of assessment instruments.  Board self-evaluations, 360 degree CEO assessments, exit interviews and customer surveys come to mind.  Perhaps the most effective and efficient evaluation tool I have come across was developed by the Gallup Organization and outlined in the book, First, Break All the Rules authored by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.


The copyrighted questions are as follows:

  1. I know what is expected of me at work.
  2. I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.
  3. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.
  4. In the last seven days, I have received recognition and praise for doing good work.
  5. My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.
  6. There is someone at work who encourages my development.
  7. At work, my opinions seem to count.
  8. The mission/purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.
  9. My associates (fellow employees) are committed to doing quality work.
  10. I have a best friend at work.
  11. In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress.
  12. This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow.

The Gallup organization found that a high level of agreement to these twelve questions indicated a strong workplace.  The assessment became known as the ‘measuring stick.’  The data they collected was extensive (as one would expect from an enterprise know for its surveys) and outlined in the book.


How would your staff answer these questions?  Would you consider these questions as part of an exit interview?  How might your board respond if you altered the questions slightly?