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Adaptability

Adapting in order to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups.
Level 1 Recognizes the need to adapt

BEHAVIORS

  • Expresses willingness to do things differently.
  • Acknowledges the value of other points of view and ways of doing things.
  • Displays a positive attitude in the face of ambiguity and change.

QUESTIONS

  • People can see things differently. Tell us about a time when you needed to make a special effort to recognize the value of another person's point of view on the best way to handle a situation or problem.

Probing Questions

* What was the situation/problem?

* What was your point of view on how it should be handled?

* What was the other person's point of view?

* How did the situation/problem end up being handled?

  • It can be frustrating when things are not clear cut. Tell us about a time when you encountered such a situation and how you dealt with it.

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation.

* What was not clear cut about it?

* What made it frustrating?

* What was the outcome?

Level 2 Adapts to the situation

BEHAVIORS

  • Changes own behavior or approach to suit the situation.
  • Adjusts rules or procedures, based on the situation, while remaining guided by the organization's values.
  • Adapts behavior to perform effectively under changing or unclear conditions.

QUESTIONS

  • Please give me an example of a situation where you changed your behavior or approach according to the circumstances and the people involved.

Probing Questions

* Why did you need to change your approach?

* Describe how you changed your approach/behavior.

* How easily did you adapt to the situation?

* What was the outcome?

  • Tell us about a time when you were able to solve a problem or better serve a client by applying the flexibility that existed in a rule or procedure.

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation.

* What rule/procedure was involved?

* What aspects of the rule/procedure were flexible?

* What was the outcome?

Level 3 Adapts to widely varied needs

BEHAVIORS

  • Adapts to new ideas and initiatives across a wide variety of issues or situations.
  • Supports major changes that challenge traditional ways of operating.
  • Adapts interpersonal style to highly diverse individuals and groups in a range of situations.
  • Anticipates change in order to adapt their own plans and priorities.

QUESTIONS

  • Describe a time when you sought an alternative approach in a situation where the usual approach was not working.

Probing Questions

* How was the usual approach not effective in this case?

* How did you adapt your approach or implement a new approach?

* Were you successful in addressing the situation in this way?

* What was the final outcome?

  • Describe a time when you foresaw that a change would be needed and so you got ready for it.

Probing Questions

* What change did you foresee?

* What did you perceive to be the impact?

* How did you plan for the change?

* What was the outcome?

Level 4 Adapts plans and goals

BEHAVIORS

  • Adapts organizational or project plans to meet new demands and priorities.
  • Revises project goals when circumstances demand it.
  • Responds quickly to shifting opportunities and risks.

QUESTIONS

  • Often projects do not go as originally planned. What is an example of a time when you needed to adjust or make changes to your plan, or strategy, in response to the situation at hand?

Probing Questions

* What happened?

* What changes were required? Why?

* What changes did you make?

* How did you feel about having to change your plan/strategy?

* How did things turn out?

* What would you do differently next time?

  • Describe a situation when you had to impose a change, even though you knew it would upset the current way of operating.

Probing Questions

* Can you illustrate with a particular incident?

* What factors did you take into consideration?

* What were the risks involved?

* How did you minimize these risks?

* What impact did your decision have on the team?

* Can you describe the outcome?

Level 5 Adapts organizational strategies

BEHAVIORS

  • Adjusts broad/macro organizational strategies, directions, priorities, structures and processes to changing needs in the environment.
  • Adapts behavior to perform effectively amidst continuous change, ambiguity and, at times, apparent chaos.
  • Shifts readily between dealing with macro-strategic issues and critical details.
  • Capitalizes on emerging opportunities and risks.

QUESTIONS

  • Tell us about a time when you worked in the midst of continuous change and even chaos, and your ability to adapt was essential to help ensure success.

Probing Questions

* What kinds of changes were taking place?

* In what ways did you need to continuously adapt?

* How did your ability to adapt lead to better outcomes?

  • Tell us about a time when you adjusted a major organizational strategy to meet changing requirements.

Probing Questions

* What strategy was involved?

* In what way(s) did requirements change?

* What changes did you need to make to the strategy?

* What was the outcome?