HR-Survey > Employee Opinion > Dimensions

Survey Questions: Excellence

Definition: Excellence is the disciplined pursuit of exceptional performance, where individuals set high goals, take on increasing responsibilities, and bring a visionary mindset that expands opportunities while managing risk with sound judgment. It is demonstrated through deep personal drive--striving relentlessly for superior results, assessing performance objectively, and applying strong technical, analytical, and creative capabilities to elevate the quality of work. Excellence requires continual learning, effective time management, consistent productivity, and the ability to measure progress and adjust strategies to ensure goals are met at the highest standard. It is strengthened through mentorship, professional networks, and volunteerism, as people contribute beyond their roles, share knowledge, and support one another to achieve outstanding outcomes across the organization.

Example Questionnaires with Excellence:
Example 1 (5-point scale; numbers; NA)
Example 2 (7-point scale; radio buttons)
Example 3 (4-point scale; radio buttons)
Example 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Example 5 (5-point scale; words)
Example 6 (Pulse Survey)
Example 7 (5-point scale; item comments)
Example 8 (3-point scale; words; N/A)
Example 9 (4-point scale; numbers)
Example 10 (Comment boxes only)
Example 11 (Single rating per dimension)
Example 12 (Slide-bar scale)

Sets High Goals

Sets High Goals is about the ambition and aspiration behind performance--defining elevated standards, establishing stretch goals, and envisioning outcomes that push individuals and teams beyond routine expectations. This dimension focuses on creating clear, forward-looking, and challenging goals that inspire growth, expand skills, and position the team for long-term success. A manager or team strong in this area raises the bar intentionally, setting goals that exceed expectations and motivate people to achieve more than they thought possible. The emphasis is on what level of performance is being aimed for and the strategic clarity behind those goals.

Managers raise the bar by setting goals that challenge existing capabilities and encourage meaningful growth.
Colleagues set stretch goals to develop skills and abilities.
Our manager establishes ambitious performance goals that push beyond routine expectations and drive continuous improvement.
Our team sets goals with high standards to ensure work consistently exceeds expectations.
My team sets forward-looking goals that anticipate future needs and position the team for long-term success.
Associates set high standards across all tasks and responsibilities.
I can transform high personal standards into exceptional performance.
My supervisor sets goals to expand knowledge and skills.
The project manager defines clear, aspirational goals that inspire higher levels of achievement.

Increases Responsibilities

Increases Responsibilities is about the willingness to step forward and take on more in order to grow, contribute, and strengthen results. This dimension reflects initiative--seeking additional duties, accepting challenging assignments, and assuming broader roles that build capability and support the team, especially during critical periods. A manager or team strong in this area expands their scope of work, demonstrates ownership, and proactively takes on responsibilities that require greater judgment, skill, or accountability. The emphasis is on how much responsibility someone is willing to carry and their readiness to stretch through action rather than intention.

Team members add responsibilities for challenging assignments that expand capability and contribute to the bottom-line.
Our team assumes broader responsibilities to strengthen expertise and prepare for future leadership roles.
My manager encourages employees to seek opportunities to lead tasks or initiatives that require greater judgment, skill, or accountability.
My manager accepts additional responsibilities.
Our manager takes ownership of additional duties during critical periods to support the team.
Employees in my department seek additional responsibilities.

Visionary

Visionary reflects a leader's ability to imagine and articulate a compelling future that elevates performance and expands what the team believes is possible. It is rooted in big-picture thinking--anticipating emerging trends, identifying long-term opportunities, and translating that foresight into clear priorities that guide the team toward ambitious outcomes. A visionary manager inspires others by showing where the organization can go and by designing forward-looking plans that improve quality, efficiency, and impact. The emphasis is on seeing ahead, shaping direction, and motivating people to pursue a higher level of performance.

Leaders articulate a compelling picture of the future that motivates others to pursue higher level of performance.
The supervisor has a clear vision for success.
Senior executives set an ambitious vision for the future.
Managers create forward-looking plans to expand opportunities.
My manager has a vision for how work should be completed in the department.
My manager envisions innovative approaches that elevate quality, efficiency, or impact.
Managers translate big-picture thinking into clear priorities that guide the team toward ambitious outcomes.
My manager identifies emerging trends and anticipates future needs to position the team for long-term success.

Effectively Manages Risk

Effectively Manages Risk focuses on how individuals and teams protect excellence while pursuing it, using judgment to balance ambition with safeguards that ensure high-quality outcomes. This dimension is about anticipating obstacles, selecting the right level of risk, and putting controls in place so that performance is not compromised. A team strong in this area takes calculated risks that meaningfully advance results, limits the impact of risk events, and calibrates decisions to maximize the likelihood of exceptional outcomes. The emphasis is on strategic risk-taking--choosing when to push, when to protect, and how to maintain excellence under uncertainty.

Team members choose the level of risk that maximizes the likelihood of exceptional results.
Colleagues implement controls and safeguards that protect the quality of outcomes.
Supervisors are able to balance ambition and risk to drive outstanding results.
The project manager calibrates the level of risk required to achieve exceptional outcomes.
Managers use sound judgment to identify the risk that meaningfully advance excellence.
Our team takes calculated risks that are appropriate for achieving high-quality outcomes.
Our department reduces potential obstacles and risks to ensure consistently exceptional performance.
Our team is willing to take risks to achieve excellence.
The members of my team limit the impact of risk events to maintain performance and outcomes.
The project manager anticipates and minimizes risks that could compromise excellence.
Our department mitigates risks that threaten the achievement of exceptional results.
Our department assesses and selects the appropriate level of risk to enable superior performance.

Driven to Excel

Driven to Excel reflects the internal motivation, persistence, and determination that fuel exceptional execution in the present. It is about pride in one's work, relentless effort, and the personal drive to achieve superior results across all tasks and responsibilities. A manager or team strong in this dimension maintains momentum, pushes through challenges, and channels ambition into actions that elevate quality and outcomes. The emphasis is on follow-through, effort, and unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding results and completing work at the highest standard.

The supervisor models a strong drive for excellence that elevates team performance.
Our team persists through challenges to ensure projects are fully completed.
My manager shows deep personal motivation to reach the highest standards.
My supervisor demonstrates a strong drive to accomplish tasks and deliver results.
Coworkers in my department are driven by a deep desire to excel.
My team leader channels ambition into actions that elevate quality and outcomes.
Colleagues demonstrate strong drive and persistence to see projects through to successful completion.
Team members focus on accomplishing meaningful work efficiently and effectively.
My supervisor demonstrates a strong internal drive to achieve exceptional results.
The project manager pushes us toward superior performance.
Our manager maintains momentum and focus to bring projects to completion.
Our department takes a lot of pride in our work.
My team shows unwavering determination to carry projects through to completion.
Associates are driven to excel in all tasks and areas of responsibility.

Pursuing Excellence

Pursuing Excellence reflects the effort, determination, and personal commitment to achieving the highest possible standards in every task. It is about investing sustained energy, striving relentlessly for quality, outperforming expectations, and taking initiative to raise standards across the board. A team strong in this dimension works with intensity and pride, aiming for exceptional results and modeling a deep commitment to superior performance. The emphasis is on relentless effort and high standards--the drive to excel, perfect, and elevate work through dedication rather than risk-based decision-making.

The members of my team aim to perform at the highest level in all endeavors.
Our department works to outperform expectations and benchmarks.
The supervisor produces high quality work.
My supervisor pursues excellence with sustained energy and determination.
Managers pursue perfectionism in all endeavors.
The members of my team pursue the highest standards of performance.
Colleagues strive relentlessly to reach the highest standards.
Colleagues invest the effort needed to achieve exceptional project results.
Our manager models a determined pursuit of excellence that elevates team performance.
Supervisors pursue excellence with unwavering determination.
Employees in my department take the initiative to achieve higher standards.
Coworkers strive for exceptional quality in every task undertaken.

Objective Assessments

Objective Assessments focuses on a person's ability to evaluate their own performance with clarity, accuracy, and honesty. It is about recognizing how actions and results compare to expectations, identifying strengths and gaps, and using evidence and feedback to understand what is working and what needs improvement. Someone strong in this dimension reflects on outcomes, adjusts strategies based on objective insight, and models self-evaluation as a foundation for continuous improvement. The emphasis is on self-awareness, truth-seeking, and disciplined reflection to raise performance standards.

My coworkers adjust strategies based on honest self-review to continually raise performance standards.
Coworkers in my department seek objective feedback from others.
My team recognizes how actions and results measure up to expectations.
My coworkers reflect on recent work to determine which behaviors contributed to success and which hindered progress.
Managers use evidence and data to evaluate performance and decision quality.
Managers demonstrate clear self-awareness of strengths, gaps, and performance outcomes.
The project manager models objective self-evaluation as a foundation for continuous improvement.
My manager compares actual results to intended goals to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
My manager analyzes performance to understand what is working and what needs improvement.
My manager assesses performance objectively without bias.
My manager evaluates performance with clarity, accuracy, and objectivity.

Highly Skilled

Highly Skilled reflects a person's technical mastery, preparation, and depth of expertise--their ability to apply advanced knowledge, strong judgment, and well-developed skills to produce high-quality work. This dimension is about staying current with evolving tools and technologies, preparing thoroughly for responsibilities, solving complex problems with confidence, and delivering work that meets or exceeds professional standards. Someone strong in this area demonstrates craftsmanship, accuracy, and technical rigor across all assignments. The emphasis is on what they know and how expertly they apply it to achieve exceptional outcomes.

My coworkers set a high bar for technical accuracy and craftsmanship, consistently delivering work that meet or exceed professional standards.
My department uses strong analytical and technical judgment to make well-informed decisions that improve outcomes.
Team members prepare thoroughly for key responsibilities--reviewing data, anticipating challenges, and planning effective approaches.
The project leader strengthens expertise through training, research, and hands-on application of new methods.
Our team works diligently to produce high-quality results in all assignments.
Our team updates skills to keep pace with technological change.
My manager applies advanced knowledge and best practices to solve complex problems with accuracy and confidence.
The project manager is planful and organized.
Our team prepares for any negotiations.
Coworkers in my department ensure high-quality work by staying informed about new and evolving technologies.
Leaders demonstrate the functional or technical skills necessary to do their job.

Continual Learning

Continual Learning reflects a person's commitment to expanding their knowledge, skills, and adaptability over time. It is about actively seeking new learning opportunities, staying current with evolving tools and technologies, and strengthening expertise through courses, training, and real-world experience. Someone strong in this dimension learns from both successes and setbacks, adapts quickly to new systems, and models a mindset of lifelong growth. The emphasis is on building capability through ongoing development to elevate performance and maintain high standards.

Team members identify lessons from successes and failures to strengthen decision-making.
Associates pursue ongoing learning through both online and in-person development opportunities.
Coworkers in my department invest in acquiring new skills.
I pursue professional development through multiple learning channels to build excellence.
Colleagues engage in continuous learning through a mix of virtual and classroom-based instruction.
Our department invests in ongoing education of team members to elevate performance and maintain high standards.
Managers stay up to date with evolving technologies and industry advancements.
My manager models a commitment to lifelong learning through active participation in online and in-person programs.
Colleagues seek out new knowledge through multiple modes of training.
Managers adapt quickly to new tools, systems, and technological trends.
Employees in my department strengthen expertise by participating in both digital and face-to-face learning experiences.
Employees in my department learn from both achievements and setbacks to improve future performance.
Employees in my department build skills through structured online courses and in-person training.
My coworkers pursue self-improvement through continuing education classes.

Analytical Thinking

Analytical Thinking reflects a person's ability to interpret information, understand complexity, and generate meaningful insights that improve decisions and outcomes. It is about applying analytical techniques, refining data interpretation skills, identifying patterns and trends, and using evidence to understand problems more deeply. Someone strong in this dimension continuously improves their analytical methods, evaluates outcomes to extract insights, and uses data-driven reasoning to strengthen understanding. The emphasis is on how well they analyze information to drive clarity, insight, and informed action.

Our manager evaluates both successful and unsuccessful outcomes to extract meaningful insights.
Our team has made improvements in our ability to find patterns, connections, and trends in data.
I know how to update analytical practices to keep pace with evolving data tools and techniques.
Employees in my department improve analytical approaches to extract more meaningful and actionable insights.
My team leader expands proficiency in analytical techniques to improve data-driven understanding.
My coworkers demonstrate the analytical skills to do their job.
Our department adopts more advanced techniques to interpret data with greater precision.
Coworkers in my department learn and apply new analytical methods to deepen data interpretation.
Coworkers improve the quality of analysis by strengthening techniques and interpretation skills.
Associates seek to get a better understanding of complex issues and problems.
Team members refine data analysis skills to strengthen interpretation and insight.
My manager expands proficiency in analytical techniques to improve data-driven understanding.

Boosting Creativity

Boosting Creativity reflects a person's ability to generate imaginative, original, and innovative ideas that elevate the quality of work, processes, products, and services. It is about reimagining established practices, proposing inventive solutions, and applying creative insight to modernize or transform how work gets done. Someone strong in this dimension challenges current methods, introduces new concepts, and brings forward ideas that raise standards and create greater impact. The emphasis is on innovation, imagination, and creative problem-solving as drivers of excellence.

Associates use creative insight to redesign approaches for greater impact.
Senior executives envision creative ideas to improve products and services.
I am able to introduce new concepts that reimagine how work is done.
Coworkers in my department generate innovative ideas that enhance performance and raise standards.
Managers bring forward imaginative ideas that elevate the quality of products and services.
The members of my team reimagine established practices by contributing fresh, creative ideas.
Colleagues propose inventive solutions that enhance or modernize current approaches.
The supervisor creates innovative products and services to improve excellence.
My manager applies imaginative approaches to refine and advance existing practices.
Employees in my department apply creative thinking to elevate the quality of work and outcomes.
The project manager applies creative thinking to improve existing processes.
I am able to generate innovative ideas that transform existing products and services.
My team develops original ideas that challenge current methods.
Our team produces novel and valuable solutions to enhance excellence.

Time Management

Time Management reflects a person's ability to prioritize effectively, maintain focus, and use time strategically to deliver high-quality work on schedule. It is about concentrating effort on the most important tasks, managing competing demands, and sustaining productivity through disciplined attention and efficient work habits. Someone strong in this dimension completes high-impact tasks promptly, uses time wisely--including downtime--and ensures that results are delivered consistently and on time. The emphasis is on efficiency, prioritization, and disciplined execution as the foundation for timely, reliable performance.

Employees in my department apply focused effort to complete high-impact tasks to a high standard.
My supervisor prioritizes work effectively--contributing to departmental success.
Our team devotes focused time to high-priority tasks until they are successfully completed.
Leaders manage time effectively to achieve excellence in individual and departmental results.
Managers focus time on high-priority items.
I am able to use downtime or travel time to work on longer term projects.
Our department manages time strategically to complete high-value tasks that advance department's goals.
Our team achieves excellent results within the limited time constraints.
Colleagues work diligently on priority tasks until they are fully completed.
My team applies strong time-management skills to deliver high-quality results that strengthen departmental performance.
My coworkers deliver results on time.
My manager uses time efficiently by delegating work to others.
Coworkers in my department concentrate effort on the most important tasks to ensure timely completion.
I am able to maintain sustained focus on critical tasks until the work is finished.
Employees in my department use time efficiently to maintain productivity and excellence.
Our team prioritizes tasks to make the most efficient use of time.
Our team works quickly to complete tasks on time.

Committed to Excellence

Committed to Excellence reflects a person's mindset and dedication to delivering consistently high-quality work, no matter the task or context. It is about bringing focus, discipline, and personal pride to every assignment--applying structured processes, maintaining high standards, and demonstrating unwavering commitment to producing exceptional outcomes. Someone strong in this dimension can be counted on to add value, stay fully invested in project success, and uphold excellence as a personal expectation. The emphasis is on quality, consistency, and personal commitment as the driving forces behind superior performance.

Employees in my department apply structured process to produce consistent, high-quality results.
My manager demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving top-tier performance.
Associates demonstrate full commitment to ensuring the project's success.
Managers exhibit a self-driven commitment to excellence.
My manager shows a strong personal commitment to being the best they can be.
My coworkers commit energy and focus to delivering high-quality outcomes.
My supervisor can be counted on to add value wherever they are involved.

Increasing Productivity

Increasing Productivity reflects a person's efficiency, improvement orientation, and ability to maximize output without sacrificing quality. It is about continuously refining work practices, leveraging technology, tackling difficult tasks promptly, and keeping both themselves and others focused on improvement. Someone strong in this dimension actively seeks ways to enhance performance, streamline processes, and ensure that high standards are met while output increases. The emphasis is on efficiency, improvement, and effective execution as the mechanisms that elevate performance and results.

The supervisor tackles difficult projects head-on without delays.
My coworkers seek to improve job performance.
Our department ensures quality standards are met.
Our department leverages current technologies to enhance performance and outcomes.
Coworkers use firm measures of productivity to develop better work practices.
Supervisors make regular improvements to maximize output.
Coworkers in my department keep themselves and others focused on constant improvement.

Measures Progress

Measures Progress focuses on how individuals and teams track, evaluate, and adjust their work in real time to ensure goals are met at a high standard. It is about monitoring milestones, checking whether work is on track, reassessing progress as conditions change, and using objective measures to stay aligned with expectations. Someone strong in this dimension makes timely adjustments, evaluates progress with clarity, and ensures that performance remains consistent and goal-driven. The emphasis is on continuous monitoring and course correction to maintain excellence throughout execution.

Coworkers check whether work is on track and make timely adjustments.
My team leader evaluates progress toward goals to ensure work stays on track and aligned with expectations.
The members of my team monitor progress toward key milestones.
Our manager uses objective measures to evaluate how well goals are being met.
Our department assesses progress to ensure goals are achieved at a high standard.
Colleagues reassess progress toward goals as conditions change.

Mentorship

Mentorship centers on learning, guidance, and developmental support gained through relationships with more experienced individuals. It involves seeking out mentors, discussing challenges to gain clarity, applying mentor feedback, and using diverse perspectives to refine approaches and elevate performance. Someone strong in this dimension builds ongoing mentor relationships that support long-term growth, strengthen decision-making, and raise performance standards. The emphasis is on growth through guidance--leveraging mentor insight to improve skills, thinking, and overall effectiveness.

Our team utilizes feedback from mentors.
The members of my team apply mentor-suggested strategies to improve work process and elevate performance standards.
Coworkers in my department welcome guidance and feedback from mentors.
Employees use mentor perspectives to refine approach and achieve higher standards.
Associates seek out mentors to gain insight, guidance, and professional growth.
I seek out mentors with diverse expertise to broaden perspective and strengthen decision-making.
Employees engage with mentor feedback to elevate performance and pursue excellence.
Our manager uses mentor insights to strengthen skills and performance.
Coworkers in my department discuss challenges with mentors to gain clarity and identify higher-quality solutions.
I am able to use mentor conversations to challenge assumptions and refine approach for greater effectiveness.
The members of my team build ongoing mentor relationships that support continuous learning and long-term development.

Professional Contacts

Professional Contacts reflects how individuals and teams leverage external expertise to elevate the quality of their work. It is about engaging with industry peers, tapping into specialized knowledge, and using professional networks to strengthen decisions, refine ideas, and improve outcomes. Someone strong in this dimension builds and maintains relationships that support shared learning, ongoing development, and higher standards of excellence. The emphasis is on expanding capability through external insight--using professional relationships as a strategic resource to enhance performance.

The project manager draws on the expertise and insights of others.
Managers draw on the insights of professional peers to support ongoing development and excellence.
Colleagues engage with professional contacts to access specialized knowledge that enhance work quality.
Our manager builds and maintains relationships with industry colleagues that support shared learning and improved performance.
My supervisor collaborates with professional contacts and associates in the industry to strengthen ideas, decisions, and results.
Managers leverage professional relationships to achieve higher standards of excellence.
I can tap into the skills of trusted contacts to elevate performance and problem-solving.
The project leader utilizes the strengths and expertise of professional networks to improve outcomes.
My manager maintains a list of professional business contacts in the industry.

Volunteerism

Volunteerism reflects a person's willingness to step forward and contribute beyond their formal responsibilities to advance team and organizational success. It is about proactively taking on tasks, supporting colleagues during peak workloads, embracing challenging assignments, and demonstrating dedication without being asked. Someone strong in this dimension models reliability, initiative, and a team-first mindset that strengthens performance and culture. The emphasis is on active contribution and service--showing up, pitching in, and elevating the team through voluntary effort.

Associates volunteer for tasks that advance team goals, even when they fall outside normal responsibilities.
The team leader demonstrates excellence by proactively volunteering for tasks and initiatives that strengthen team performance, improve processes, and support organizational success.
My supervisor supports the department during peak workloads as needed.
Our department encourages a culture where people step up and support one another.
Managers set an example of dedication, reliability, and willingness to contribute.
My manager takes on pilot programs, new tools, or improvement efforts to help the organization grow.
My manager identifies opportunities to contribute and takes action before problems escalate.
My coworkers step forward to support important work without being asked.
Coworkers volunteer for challenging assignments that build new skills.
Colleagues volunteer for leadership roles.