Today, I’m going to talk about my DEAD LAST talent…….. Adaptability…YES! I know the topic is “My Top Five Strengths,” however to truly understand them, it helps to know what influences them. I’ve been told I can be inflexible at times. Before I knew my 34 talents in rank order, I felt that was a critical statement…one which caused me to “try” to be more flexible.

More often than not, I would just internally freeze, say nothing, make the best of it and try to go with the flow when I encountered someone with high adaptability. I’m sure my frustration showed despite my best efforts to contain it. I didn’t want to give away what I REALLY thought…”Make up your mind and stop being so flakey.”

NOT SO TODAY!

I had to learn to stretch myself and my understanding. With intentionality, which I learned from practicing Yoga, I was able to connect with the “fun” side of people with adaptability. Every person I know with high Adaptability theme of talent know how to have fun. I love to have fun, however, I’m seldom the one who creates the fun.

Gallup defines people with the talent of “Adaptability” as those who prefer to go with the flow and live in the here and now. They take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.

A Short Story

One of my clients has “Adaptability” in her Top 5 Strengths. I coached her over a year before she took the Strengths Assessment. Again and again she wondered why she couldn’t make up her mind about decisions she needed to make. A majority of her coaching was processing her options until she was able to decide which option to choose.

Sometimes, this can be confused with the “Deliberative” theme. But my client, often said, I don’t want to miss out on any opportunities by making the wrong decision.

“Deliberative” anticipates obstacles, while “Adaptability” wants to discover all the possibilities before them…They don’t want to miss out on anything!!

After taking the assessment and verifying her “Adaptability” theme was at work, we began to work on ways to keep it working FOR her. She has the most amazing life now of anyone I know…she travels and encourages others to work part time and travel part time. I encourage you to read her blog to learn about how “Adaptability” is truly a strength in her life today.

How My Weakest Theme of Talent–Adaptability–Influences My Top 5 Strengths

“Adaptability” influences my Top 5 Strengths by being yes, DEAD LAST. Two of my top five strengths help me understand that I spend time learning everything I need to know before making a decision, then quickly see relevant patterns and make plans accordingly. I love plans, and even more, I love STICKING to the plan. Because I know this, I can embrace and enjoy the strength of “Adaptability” in others! 🙂

NOW when I encounter this theme, I REJOICE!

And when I work with them on a team, I appreciate them, and give them lots of room to dream and imagine possibilities. I work well with Adaptability because of my “Activator” theme, my #2 strength, because it helps shift dreams into action…

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