Change-competent organizations hire change-competent staff. When interviewing a candidate for hire or promotion, ask any or all of the following eight questions. The kind of response you receive is more important than its content; you are interested in how a potential candidate thinks and learns.

1. Tell me about your most and least challenging job.
2. Tell me about a time when you overcame major obstacles.
3. Tell me about the persons you admire most - and least.
4. Tell me about a time when you tried something and failed.
5. Tell me about when something bad happened to you.
6. Tell me about a time when you tried to help someone change. How did you do this? How did it turn out?
7. Tell me about a mistake you made in dealing with people.
8. Tell me about the last time you made a major change.

Why did you do it? How did it work out?

After the candidate answers, ask what s/he learned in each situation. Then, rate on a scale of 1-5 on these variables:

Generalization. The Change-Inflexible (CI) generalize and are vague. The Change-Competent (CC) have specific knowledge. They know what they learned, and why.

Attribution of Cause. CI’s blame other persons or situations for their mistakes. CC discuss their mistakes and weaknesses openly, tell you what they learned, and what they did differently as a result.

Learning Focus. CI focus more on what happened and less on why it happened. CC focus less on what happened and more on why it happened.

Self-awareness. CI tend to overstate strengths, try erratically to correct weaknesses, and are unaware of limits. CC are aware of their strengths, weaknesses and limits, interested in developing and using strengths, and compensate for weaknesses.

The above four traits are central in the ability to be resilient and flexible in changing times. Change-Flexible individuals will be able to adapt more positively to changing situations in your organization. Expect personal resistance from Change-Inflexible employees.

© 1998 Janet E. Lapp, Ph.D. All rights reserved. Dr. Janet Lapp is an expert at guiding people through change. This article was taken in part from her book, Plant Your Feet Firmly in Mid-Air. She is the author of Plant your Feet Firmly in Mid-Air and Dancing With Tigers, publisher of The Change Letter and one of North America’s most energizing, insightful and creative professional speakers. She is the creator and host of the highly rated CBS-affiliate health series "Keep Well," and is featured in documentaries such as "Coping with Stress in the Real World." For more information on her resource tools or speaking and training services, call 800-435-2927, fax her at 619-824-1504 or visit www.Lapp.com or www.changecentral.com.