Flexibility - Competency
Definition: Flexibility is the ability to think a variety of thoughts, change the ways of doing things, solving unique problems, meeting the needs of a variety of people, managing unpredictable events/circumstances, and adapting to new environments or the needs of different situations. Flexibility also includes recovering quickly from setbacks and maintaining a high level of productivity despite obstacles. Flexibility includes being responsive to the needs of others, to accommodate others, and provide customized training to facilitate learning.
Flexibility
Adaptability
Creativity
Accountability
Action
Bias for Action
Integrity
Self Management
Passion To Learn
Continual Learning
Continual Improvement
Creativity
Professional Development
Feedback
Punctuality
Attitude
Cultural Awareness
Emotional Intelligence
What is Flexibility as a Competency?
Why is Flexibility important?
How can I improve flexibility skills?
What are the benefits of being flexible in business?
360-Feedback questions that measure Flexibility
Why is Flexibility important?
How can I improve flexibility skills?
What are the benefits of being flexible in business?
360-Feedback questions that measure Flexibility
Self-Comments: Do you have to complete a self-assessment or performance appraisal? If so, the
self-comments here may help.
self-comments here may help.
360-Feedback Questionnaires Measuring Flexibility:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)
Survey 13 (4-point scale; numbers; floating anchors)
Survey 14 (4-point scale; N/A)
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)
Survey 13 (4-point scale; numbers; floating anchors)
Survey 14 (4-point scale; N/A)
Performance Management Assessments
that include Flexibility:
Assessment 1 (5-point scale; IDP Comments)
Assessment 2 (3-point scale with Comments)
Assessment 3 (Manager Assessment; 360-Feedback)
Assessment 4 (3-point scale; Rating Limits)
Assessment 5 (3-point scale; Rating Limits)
Assessment 6 (5-point scale with Comments)
Assessment 7 (Comment Boxes Only; IDP)
Assessment 8 (Comment Boxes Only)
Assessment 9 (3-point scale with Letter Grade)
Assessment 10 (360-Feedback; Bonus/Merit Pay)
Assessment 11 (Core Values & Job Competencies)
Assessment 12 (4-point scale; 6 Comment Boxes)
that include Flexibility:
Assessment 1 (5-point scale; IDP Comments)
Assessment 2 (3-point scale with Comments)
Assessment 3 (Manager Assessment; 360-Feedback)
Assessment 4 (3-point scale; Rating Limits)
Assessment 5 (3-point scale; Rating Limits)
Assessment 6 (5-point scale with Comments)
Assessment 7 (Comment Boxes Only; IDP)
Assessment 8 (Comment Boxes Only)
Assessment 9 (3-point scale with Letter Grade)
Assessment 10 (360-Feedback; Bonus/Merit Pay)
Assessment 11 (Core Values & Job Competencies)
Assessment 12 (4-point scale; 6 Comment Boxes)
What is Flexibility as a Competency?
Why is Flexibility important?
Flexibility allows individuals and organizations to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges with ease. This adaptability enhances problem-solving, strategic thinking and innovation, leading to more effective and efficient operations. Flexibility is being resilient in the response to setbacks, enabling a quicker recovery and maintaining productivity. Flexibility also accommodates the diverse needs and perspectives of others to create a more inclusive and collaborative work environment. Flexibility helps drive success and sustainability in today's dynamic business environment.
How can I improve flexibility skills?
- Perspectives and Assumptions: Actively seek out and consider diverse perspectives and be open to adjusting your viewpoints when presented with new information. Embrace change by experimenting with new ideas and methods, and continuously challenge your own assumptions.
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest industry trends, tools, and technologies. Regularly attend workshops, webinars, and training sessions. This additional information will help you to expand your capabilities to be able to solve a wider variety of problems.
- Embrace Change: Cultivate a positive attitude towards change. Instead of resisting new procedures or methods, view them as opportunities to improve and innovate.
- Seek Feedback: Encourage and actively seek feedback from colleagues and team members. Keep an open mind and be willing to consider suggestions and ideas from others. Use this feedback constructively to improve and adapt your processes and procedures.
- Experimentation: Be willing to test out new ideas and approaches. Don't be afraid to deviate from the norm to find more efficient or effective ways of doing things.
- Collaboration: Engage with a diverse group of people and value their perspectives. Collaborative efforts often lead to more adaptable and resilient processes.
What are the benefits of being flexible in business?
- Perspectives and Assumptions: Expanding perspectives allows companies to consider a broader range of ideas and solutions, fostering innovation and creativity. By challenging assumptions, businesses can identify and eliminate outdated or incorrect beliefs, leading to more accurate decision-making and adaptive strategies. This openness to new viewpoints and willingness to question the status quo enable organizations to respond swiftly to changes in the market, seize emerging opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge.
What questions could you consider for including on a 360-degree feedback assessment regarding Flexibility?
360-Feedback questions that measure Flexibility
Flexibility of Thought
Flexibility of Thought focuses on openness to new perspectives and adaptability in thinking. This dimension highlights the ability to embrace diverse viewpoints, incorporate fresh ideas, and maintain an open mind when encountering new information. It fosters creativity, encourages innovative approaches, and promotes continuous learning by welcoming different ways of thinking.
- Open to the perspectives/viewpoints of others.
- Willing to try new ideas.
- Effective in incorporating new ideas.
- Adapts easily to incorporate various perspectives.
- Balances multiple perspectives to find common ground and innovative solutions.
- Is open to and values diverse perspectives.
- Promotes flexibility in approaches by encouraging employees to think outside the box and experiment with new methods and ideas.
- Demonstrates flexibility in thoughts and actions.
- Is flexible in considering different viewpoints.
- Maintains an adaptive mindset crucial for navigating the dynamic challenges and opportunities that arise in business environments.
- Willing to change ideas or perceptions based on new information or contrary evidence which is presented.
- Thinks outside the 'box'.
- Keeps an 'open' mind and looks for new opportunities.
Flexibility in Process
Flexibility in Process focuses on adjusting workflows, procedures, and systems to enhance efficiency and adaptability. This dimension highlights the ability to modify established methods, integrate new technologies, and improve operational processes in response to evolving demands. It ensures that change is embraced at a structural and procedural level, allowing organizations to remain agile.
- Encourages others to adopt new procedures.
- Regularly assesses current methods, welcomes feedback, and is willing to implement changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Able to integrate the latest tools and methods without causing disruption.
- Is flexible in processing routine requests.
- Adapts quickly to new technologies that impact the production line.
- Is open to change and new ways of doing things.
- Able to adapt processes in response to critical incidents that impact the workflow.
- Willing to deviate from rigid plans and consider a variety of methods, ensuring the most effective solution is applied.
- Willing to learn new processes and systems.
- Willing to implement new procedures for the department.
Flexible Problem Solving
Flexible Problem Solving emphasizes adaptability in approaching and resolving challenges. This dimension centers on modifying solutions based on new information, responding to issues with creativity, and considering alternative approaches to overcome obstacles. It prioritizes practical application of adaptability, ensuring that problem-solving remains dynamic and effective.
- Is able to change their approach to solving a problem based on new information.
- Modifies solutions based on new information.
- Responds to issues and problems with creative solutions and innovation.
- Is flexible in solving difficult problems.
- Considers alternative approaches to overcome obstacles.
- Willing to try new approaches to solving problems if the current solution isn't working.
- Solves problems using innovative solutions by keeping an open mind and considering the input from others.
- Considers other solutions provided by employees.
- Responds to issues with creativity.
- Integrates new ideas and information into solutions and processes.
Flexibility with Others
Flexibility with Others emphasizes adapting to the needs, perspectives, and requests of employees and stakeholders. This dimension centers on accommodating schedules, listening to input, fostering collaboration, and creating an inclusive culture where individuals feel supported during transitions. It prioritizes interpersonal adaptability, ensuring that workplace dynamics remain responsive to peopleâs evolving needs.
- Implements changes as a result of having listened to employees
- Fosters a culture where diverse perspectives are valued allowing the team to adapt more easily to changes and draw on a wider range of ideas and solutions.
- Accommodates the needs of employees when requests for time off are made.
- Accommodates adaptable scheduling.
- Permits flexible working and flex-time to accommodate employee needs to meet external obligations.
- Accommodates the needs of employees as best as possible when requests for time off are made.
- Actively listens to others, considers their viewpoints, and incorporates these insights into the decision-making process.
- Builds a more engaged and cohesive team willing to pivot and support each other through transitions and changes.
- Encourages open communication and collaboration, allowing everyone to contribute their ideas and perspectives.
- Responds quickly to the needs of others.
Dealing with Uncertainty
Dealing with Uncertainty focuses on navigating unpredictable situations with resilience and creative problem-solving. This dimension highlights the ability to embrace ambiguity, remain productive despite uncertain circumstances, and proactively adjust to evolving challenges. It ensures that individuals and teams can thrive in volatile conditions, whether in technology shifts, financial changes, or industry disruptions.
- Faces the unknown head-on, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Is flexible to manage uncertain changes in technology.
- Embraces change, values feedback, and is willing to experiment with different methods to find the most effective solutions.
- Embraces uncertainty with confidence and creativity to find solutions amidst chaos.
- Is flexible in their approach to dealing with unpredictable events.
- Navigates ambiguity with ease, maintaining focus and productivity amidst uncertainty.
- Is flexible to manage uncertain changes in the financial landscape.
- Fosters a culture of agility, ensuring that the team can thrive amidst constant change and uncertainty.
- Able to deal with uncertain and unpredictable events.
- Able to anticipate or adapt to uncertain or changing situations.
Versatile
Versatile emphasizes adaptability across a variety of tasks, settings, and needs. This dimension centers on adjusting approaches to fit unique scenarios, responding to diverse challenges, and fostering agility in processes and decision-making. It prioritizes flexibility in skills and problem-solving rather than managing uncertainty specifically.
- Fosters a culture of flexibility and agility.
- Agile and versatile when dealing with issues.
- Encourages adaptability to utilize more efficient processes.
- Responds to diverse challenges.
- Able to adapt and tailor approaches based on the unique requirements of each scenario.
- Adapts to different settings, tasks, and challenges with ease.
- Agile and versatile when responding to critical issues.
- Fosters agility in processes and decision-making.
- Effectively manages changes in financial resources.
- Is versatile and resilient.
- Adjusts approaches to fit unique scenarios.
- Fosters an environment that prioritizes adaptability, ongoing enhancement, and creative thinking.
- Ability to cope with a variety of client needs.
- Is able to perform new tasks and assignments.
Resilience
Resilience emphasizes the ability to recover from setbacks and maintain stability in unpredictable situations. This dimension highlights persistence, learning from challenges, and remaining proactive when faced with adversity. It ensures that individuals can withstand obstacles, remain calm under pressure, and integrate past experiences to strengthen future responses.
- Is able to bounce back from obstacles.
- Is able to recover from setbacks.
- Remains calm when dealing with multiple issues.
- Embraces issues as opportunities to learn and grow.
- Flexible and resilient in addressing critical incidents.
- Is resilient and proactive to help thrive in unpredictable environments.
- Learns from personal experiences and/or mistakes.
- Learns from personal experiences and/or mistakes and integrates experience to cope with new or untried events.
Changing Environment
Changing Environment focuses on the ability to continuously adapt to evolving circumstances, systems, and external conditions. This dimension centers on transitioning smoothly between different environments, adjusting strategies based on market shifts, and remaining agile in response to unforeseen changes. It prioritizes adaptability in dynamic settings, ensuring responsiveness to external shifts.
- Adapts to circumstances as needed.
- Able to adapt to new situations.
- Acts decisively in frequently changing and uncertain environment.
- Works effectively during periods of change.
- Able to work in multiple environments as needed.
- Willing to change ideas or perceptions based on new information.
- Can seamlessly transition between various environments and situations.
- Quickly adapts to new circumstances, challenges, or opportunities as they arise.
- Possesses a high degree of flexibility to meet the challenges posed by unforeseen circumstances.
- Flexible in adjusting to the demands of the market place.
- Anticipates differences to the procedures that may be needed due to a changing operating environment.
- Recognizes and quickly adapts to shifts in the environment, market, or industry.
- Open to adapting thoughts, behaviors, and strategies in response to evolving situations and new information.
- Adapts to new technology and systems.
Productivity
Productivity focuses on maintaining and increasing efficiency in response to evolving demands. This dimension highlights the ability to scale production, handle fluctuations in workload, and deliver a diverse range of goods and services while sustaining effectiveness. It prioritizes operational flexibility, ensuring that changes in production volumes and business needs are met without compromising output.
- Able to produce goods and services across a wide spectrum of business needs.
- Able to maintain productivity and effectiveness no matter the context.
- Flexible in effectively handling changes in production volumes.
- Expands productive capacity as demand for services increases.
- Scales up production capabilities in response to growing service demands.
- Able to produce a wide range of products/services to meet demands.
- Performs more and varried processes on the production line.
- Capable of delivering a diverse range of goods and services to meet various business requirements.
- Delivers a variety of products that vary in type and volume.
- Able to increase output to meet increased demand.
Adapting Workflows
Adapting Workflows focuses on modifying processes and procedures to accommodate changes in the work environment. This dimension highlights the ability to adjust workflows due to evolving regulations, resources, technology, or operational needs. It ensures efficiency by allowing workflows to evolve while maintaining productivity.
- Capable of adapting workflows to accommodate new regulations or policies.
- Adapts processes and procedures in response to changes in the work environment.
- Allows workflows to evolve with the employees' creativity.
- Able to change or adjust processes to accommodate changes in equipment or supplies.
- Able to change the workflow as needed to facilitate changes in regulations or policies.
- Adapts workflows according to changing needs.
- Able to make changes midstream into current tasks or projects.
- Adapts to new procedures.
- Able to change ways of working as needed.
Innovation
Innovation emphasizes creating entirely new solutions and driving forward-thinking improvements. This dimension centers on experimentation, developing fresh ideas, fostering a culture of creativity, and introducing groundbreaking products or processes. It prioritizes transformation and originality, rather than just adapting to existing conditions.
- Creates innovative solutions to unforeseen problems.
- Introduces new products or services.
- Innovates skills and modifies behaviors to remain flexible in addressing important issues.
- Encourages a culture of experimentation and innovation.
- Demonstrates adaptability in innovative thought processes.
- Experiments with new ideas to create innovative solutions to issues.
- Demonstrates the ability to think outside the box and adjust as needed.
Continuous Improvement
Continuous Improvement focuses on ongoing learning and refinement of processes to enhance efficiency and innovation. This dimension highlights the ability to seek out new knowledge, integrate evolving techniques, and create a work culture that embraces flexibility and continuous enhancement. It ensures that individuals and teams remain proactive in improving operations, workflows, and skill development.
- Incorporates new skills fluently.
- Supports a culture that values flexibility, continuous improvement and innovation.
- Supports a flexible culture that values continuous improvement and innovation.
- Seeks opportunities to improve processes and procedures to benefit the department.
- Continuously learning and adapting new techniques to address evolving challenges.
- Actively seeks out new knowledge, staying updated with industry trends, and is open to changing the workflow based on the situation.
- Focuses on continuous improvement strategies.
Customized Training
Customized Training emphasizes tailoring training methods to accommodate different learning styles and unique employee needs. This dimension centers on adapting onboarding, modifying instructional approaches, and fostering an inclusive environment where training is personalized for maximum effectiveness. It prioritizes individualized learning and flexible education, ensuring employees receive training in a way that best supports their development.
- Fosters an inclusive learning environment where everyone feels supported, ultimately leading to stronger team cohesion and increased productivity.
- Encourages flexibility in the onboarding process.
- Is flexible in delivering training content to maximizes the benefits of training but also fosters an inclusive learning environment that can lead to greater team cohesion and productivity.
- Values and adjusts training to meet diverse learning preferences.
- Adapts training delivery to enhance effectiveness and create an inclusive environment, boosting team cohesion and productivity.
- Adapts to different learning styles of employees as required to make sure employees receive the highest level of training.
- Creates personalized training schedules, offering various learning formats (like virtual and in-person sessions), and provides tailored training resources.
- Ensures that each employee's unique learning style is accommodated, which maximizes the effectiveness of the training.
- Demonstrates the ability to modify training methods and materials to suit visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, thereby enhancing overall comprehension and engagement.
- Adapts the onboarding experience to meet the unique needs of each new employee.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness focuses on quick and proactive reactions to changing circumstances and needs. This dimension highlights agility in addressing market shifts, customer demands, schedule changes, and organizational needs. It prioritizes swift adaptation, decision-making, and preemptive action to ensure efficiency in dynamic environments
- Responds to changing availability of supplies and resources.
- Responds to changing governmental regulations.
- Exhibits exceptional adaptability in responding to unexpected challenges.
- Handles external information requests efficiently without disrupting workflow.
- Responds positively to unanticipated changes in the work schedule.
- Is flexible in responding to customer needs.
- Swiftly adapts to changes, anticipates challenges and takes preemptive actions.
- Responds to the various needs of other colleagues and departments.
- Responds effectively to changes in the market conditions.
- Remains agile and responsive to address changing needs in a dynamic environment.
- Responds quickly to new opportunities or risks.
- Changes behavior quickly based on the task or needs of the customer.
Accommodative
Accommodative emphasizes willingness to adjust and modify behaviors or environments to better support changes. This dimension centers on smoothly integrating personnel shifts, workplace modifications, and evolving operational demands while maintaining a cooperative and adaptable mindset. It reflects an ability to adjust without resistance and optimize conditions as needed.
- Can handle changes without complaining.
- Shows a readiness to adapt and optimize.
- Can easily accommodate changes in personnel of the department.
- Is able to make accommodations needed for changes to the working conditions.
- Capable of adjusting to necessary modifications in the work environment.
Strategic
Strategic emphasizes adjusting approaches, tactics, and decision-making to align with new challenges or opportunities. This dimension centers on pivoting strategies, modifying processes, and evaluating organizational direction to ensure long-term adaptability. It prioritizes high-level flexibility, allowing businesses or individuals to shift focus and optimize their approach based on evolving circumstances.
- Willing to change strategies, operations, or processes in to meet new challenges or seize new opportunities.
- Embraces change and is willing to pivot strategies based on new information.
- Adapts strategies to fit the specific needs of each situation.
- Changes strategies based on new information.
- Selects strategies according to the demands of the situation.
- Will pivot strategies, operations, or processes in real-time to meet new challenges or seize new opportunities.
- Has the ability to pivot strategies, operations, or processes in real-time to meet new challenges or seize new opportunities.
- Continually evaluates the direction and speed of the organization and makes appropriate mid-course adjustments
- Changes strategies as needed.
Working Style
- Able to make changes to their leadership style after receiving constructive feedback through the performance review.
- Adjusts working style to meet the demands of the situation.
- Adjusts working style to meet client needs.
- Adjusts managerial style to meet the needs of the department.
- Changes their approach in response to new information.
Goals
- Identifies new opportunities to achieve goals
- Is open to alternative ways to accomplish goals
- Allows for flexibility in setting realistic performance goals.
- Allows for flexibility in the agenda for the team meeting.
Organizational Flexibility
- Adapts to new organizational structures, policies, or procedures.
- Dedicated to evolving and enhancing business processes, which demonstrates flexibility.
- Re-organized the functions in the department.
- Successfully implemented the changes proposed in the re-organization.
- Responds to a changing organization.