Do you know Agent Stan Conch? More importantly, can you manage working with him? He is in every part of our work life and personal life. We ALL know and work with Agent Stan Conch. He is wildly unpredictable, can be furiously stormy and always seems to show up at the least opportune times.

How does one prepare to deal with his/her Agent Stan Conch? The strong, the mighty and unflappable remark that when they are faced with the agents’ turmoil, they rely heavily on their greatest strengths.

As a behavioral guru, I thrive in helping others realize their greatest work potential through their core competencies. You were born with them and carrying them with you your entire life. Are you however, aware of what they are?

Core competencies are the natural strengths that you embody, assisting you in all situations, good and bad. If you know your competencies, you can call upon them in times of turmoil and times of celebration.

Recommended competencies needed to deal with Agent Stan Conch:

While the assortment of competencies range in the hundreds, focusing on your top key strengths are the most important. Listed below are my TOP 10 picks to muscle up when the agent arrives.

1. Innovation Management
2. Courage
3. Working through Conflict
4. Dealing with Ambiguity
5. Standing Alone
6. Humor
7. Perspective
8. Personal Learning
9. Dealing with Paradox
10. Learning on the Fly

Bouncing back from the agents visit is when the work really begins. As a proponent of backup plans, getting caught behind the ‘8’ ball has never been easier. Planning for tomorrow is more than dollars and cents. It is about have backup contingency plans for employment.

Having more than one backup stream of employment revenue is not longer an option but a requirement. The courageous see this as a challenge! Those with humor see this as fantastically ironic and funny. Those with an overzealous ability to stand alone see this as the next new mountain to cross without fear of what he/she may have to conquer. You get the point.

When backed into a corner upon the arrival of the agent, we all have our inner strengths to rely on. Nothing more is needed. When properly prepared with a backup plan of generating employment revenue, we sigh a breath of relief. We have all that we need.

So who is Agent Stan Conch? Constant change.

The mystery is solved. Know your competencies, know your plan and be ready to exercise it!

Hint: anagram