Problem
Solving Style Inventory
Do your managers and supervisors resist involving their employees in
the problem-solving process — even when a participative approach is
the most appropriate? Help them to learn whether their problem-solving
and decision-making preferences work to their benefit or their
detriment with the Problem Solving Style Inventory (PSSI).
This 30-item instrument allows individuals to gain insight on their
dominant and supportive styles of solving problems and making
decisions in their work units or teams as well as receive feedback
from others.
Learning Outcomes
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Understand which problem-solving and decision-making style one is
predisposed to use or ignore
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Determine whether one’s use of the 5 styles is appropriate for
one’s work groups or teams
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Identify the important factors to consider when choosing a style
to solve a problem or make a decision
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Master the ability to assess one’s work group and choose the style
that fits best
Theory
 Problem
Solving Style Inventory is based on the Problem Solving Styles Model.
This model illustrates the various styles available to a supervisor or
manager for solving problems and making decisions. A manager’s
problem-solving or decision-making behavior can be plotted along 2
axes:
Ego-Centered Behavior: The extent to which a manager attempts
to solve all problems or make all decisions by him/herself with little
or no input from others.
Other-Centered Behavior: The extent to which a manager includes
other people in the problem-solving or decision-making process.
The degree to which a manager uses these 2 behaviors to solve problems
and make decisions gives rise to the 5 styles shown in the model. All
5 styles are useful managerial approaches to solving problems and
making decisions in certain situations.
How It Works
The inventory presents 30 pairs of statements that describe how people
go about solving problems and making decisions. Individuals choose the
statement that is most characteristic of their approach. By scoring
and charting results, participants generate an overall
Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Style Preference Profile, with sub
scores indicating one’s usage level of each of the 5 styles. Feedback
scores provide comparison data. Participants learn about the styles,
the 4 key factors in choosing a style, analyze the possible overuse or
underuse of each style, and make action plans.
Uses for the Problem Solving Style Inventory
The Problem Solving Style Inventory assessment and Feedback Forms are
effective when used together as a stand-alone tool as well as part of
a larger program. The Problem Solving Style Inventory can be used in a
variety of ways, including:
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As part of a basic supervisory or management training program
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As part of a leadership or team leader training program
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As a development tool used by a higher-level manager to coach
lower-level managers or supervisors in when and how to ask for
participation in problem solving and decision making
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As an individual self-assessment tool to help a manager identify
his/her own use of the 5 problem-solving and decision-making
styles as seen through the manager’s eyes and eyes of his/her
employees
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As a diagnostic tool with dysfunctional teams or work units to
assess whether the team leader’s or manager’s over-use or
under-use of any of the 5 styles might be a contributing factor
to the ineffectiveness of the team or work unit
What to Order/Product Contents
Order one Facilitator Guide per trainer and one Participant Guide per
participant. To provide individuals with feedback, order one Feedback
Form for up to 8 of the participant’s employees, peers, or managers.
(We recommend ordering at least 3 Feedback Forms per participant.)
Facilitator Guide includes:
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Administrative guidelines
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Theoretical background
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Suggested program design
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Normative data
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Descriptions of the 5 Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Styles
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4 Key Factors in Choosing a Style
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Overhead transparency masters
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Practice case studies and analyses
Participant Guide includes:
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30-item assessment
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Pressure-sensitive response form
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Description of the 5 Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Styles
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Interpretive information
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Charts to record data and profile
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Diagnostic questions
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Action planning
Feedback Form includes:
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30-item assessment
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Pressure-sensitive response form
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