Someone who worries, is not stressed?

We frequently get the question: is this candidate stress-resistant? The client then defines stress resistance as staying relaxed under pressure. Always helpful, right?

Pilots and stress

I have had the opportunity to assess quite a few pilots. Being stress-resistant is then one of the selection criteria. The personality trait of being calm and fearless in difficult situations is undoubtedly essential for pilots.

People with this trait typically approach life’s challenges and stressors with a sense of ease, taking things as they come and remaining relatively unfazed by external pressures. They may exhibit a relaxed attitude and a willingness to go with the flow, even in tense or demanding situations.

“However… To be stress-resistant, a candidate must have an additional trait. And that is worrying.”

Stress and worry

In assessment psychology, worrying has been linked to the personality trait worryiness. Although worrying is often seen as an undesirable trait because people with this trait tend to focus on potential problems, risks, and negative outcomes, which usually makes them cautious and thoughtful, it does create alertness and focus. As a result, caring people tend to be thorough, prepared, and able to identify potential problems before they arise. This is useful in situations where careful planning and attention to detail are required.

Mutually reinforcing characteristics

Back to the pilot. A good pilot will relax on autopilot during the flight to Singapore. But when warning lights come on, the pilot is immediately on. The pilot acts thoughtfully, alertly, and with focus. Pre-trained and drilled-in protocols help with that.

The crux is that relaxed and caring personality traits reinforce each other. On the one hand, the calmness and relativity due to the relaxed trait; and on the other hand, the alertness, immediacy, and thorough preparation due to the worrisome trait. Both traits are needed to act sharply in stressful situations. However, that combination is not very common.

When it comes to selecting candidates, a superficial focus on the ‘relaxed’ trait can be a pitfall. There’s a risk of overlooking the crucial elements of alertness, sharpness, and thorough preparation that the ‘caring’ trait brings. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive assessment that takes into account all relevant personality traits.

Someone who worries, is not stressed?

Pilots and stress

“However… To be stress-resistant, a candidate must have an additional trait. And that is worrying.”

Stress and worry

Mutually reinforcing characteristics

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