Today, I invite you to a common-sense reflection about the “Adaptability” factor, a trait listed in the MPO Personality profile. To be or not to be adaptable, that is the question concerning the person at work and in their everyday life. We praise the capacity of a candidate to quickly adapt, we include this trait to the qualities and know-how necessary to apply for a job. But is it really wise to only pay attention to the most adaptable candidates? I now invite the reader to demonstrate non-judgment and to revisit this myth of the ideal candidate being the one presenting the highest adaptability level!
An adaptability weaker than the norm is in fact a propensity to be more selective, more true to oneself. They will be the candidates to voice their discomfort when faced with a change of plan if their eventual level of comfort and correspondence to the new way of doing things has not been validated. Conversely, another adaptability represents the natural tendency to be more versatile, more flexible, or even drawn to different fields or areas of interest. If the agility of a candidate may seem attractive at first glance, let us not forget that numerous jobs that are essential to the good operation of a business rather necessitate constancy and a sustained investment towards tasks of which the diversity is quite restricted. In our coaching with our clients, we always recommend to ensure a strong adequacy between the motivational needs of the candidate (internal or external) and the type of proposed mandates!
The candidates who present a low adaptability are thus underestimated resources! Our clients confirm as such, when they’re in the right place, these individuals invest themselves, persevere, and since they are consistent, remain in their positions for a long time! It cannot be denied that these employees are very involved in their work and show a passionate energy when they feel compelled by their task. They would much rather invest themselves in regards of their interests and specific strengths, which becomes invaluable in numerous cases.
How to recognize those precious resources?
Psychometric inventories will certainly save you some time, but their motto is often “I am what I am!” In fact, they are most known for their… sharp authenticity! Besides, these individuals will gracefully acknowledge it and even with a certain sense of pride. In these circumstances, the old saying often repeated by psychometry distributors “The right person in the right place” makes much more sense!
Make judicious choices and do not underestimate low adaptability!
Daniel Huot
