Methods for Effective Evaluation

In reading The Art of Effective Evaluation Coordinators Guide, I was surprised to see a list of effective evaluation methods:

• Tell and Sell - the evaluator talks, the speaker listens
• Tell and Listen – the evaluator talks, the speaker is given an opportunity to respond
• Problem-Solving – the evaluator engages the speaker in two-way dialogue aimed at leading the speaker toward making his or her own evaluation

I have seen the first two methods used in clubs.  The first is typical of most Toastmaster clubs.  The Tell and Listen method is often done by accident (the speaker feels compelled to comment) and sometimes on purpose, for example at advanced clubs.

The Problem-Solving method is strange.  The Coordinators Guide suggests this method is usually the most effective.  Interesting.  If it is the most effective method, why is not covered elsewhere in the manuals?  The Coordinators Guide goes on to list 3 disadvantages:

• Risky with inexperienced speaker
• Changes may end up being different than if you did Tell and Sell
• Takes more time

I don’t think it is risky in the right environment with a skilled evaluator.  While speakers may be new to Toastmasters, they are not new human beings.  So what if the changes are different?  Buy in from the speaker is a huge advantage.  Yes, it does appear it would take more time.

I would like to see the Problem-Solving method used more, and not just with evaluations of speakers.  Perhaps an advanced club would be needed to do this well?

Please comment if you have any experiences with the Problem-Solving method, or other ways of doing evaluations.