Welcome to the Adaptive Pattern Self-Assessment

As children, we develop parts of ourselves that adapt to the environment around us. These adaptive parts serve very important roles in defending or protecting us from perceived threats. As adults, we can unconsciously carry these patterns into our relationships and leadership.

This 36-question assessment helps you explore the role you may unconsciously step into—especially under pressure. Based on nine common family-of-origin archetypes that show up in leadership, this assessment can help you recognize patterns and lead with more choice.

The results are designed to help you recognize some of the more common adaptive roles and patterns that develop. It is not intended as a professional diagnosis but rather a way to start a conversation with yourself, identify patterns, and reflect on how they show up in your leadership. When you gain this self-awareness, you can create space to reflect and choose the most helpful response in the moment.

1. I feel like I need to be the one who keeps everything on track.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

2. I find myself calming others down, even when I'm not calm inside.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

3. When plans fall apart, I instinctively step in to fix them.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

4. I prefer to stay in the background and not take up too much space.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

5. I question authority when I sense something isn’t being addressed.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

6. I use humor to lighten tension, even in high-stakes situations.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

7. I set high standards for myself and worry about falling short.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

8. I don’t feel comfortable unless things are structured and under control.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

9. I often feel overlooked, even though I contribute a lot.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

10. I get frustrated when others don’t pull their weight.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

11. I try to avoid conflict, even when I have something important to say.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

12. I prefer working independently over collaborating with others.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

13. I sometimes play devil’s advocate to get people thinking differently.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

14. I’m quick to notice when someone is upset, and I try to help.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

15. I avoid asking for help, even when I need it.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

16. I feel pressure to succeed and be seen as the best at what I do.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

17. I often feel like I’m the only one holding things together.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

18. I find safety in flying under the radar.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

19. I instinctively take charge when no one else is stepping up.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

20. I sometimes say things for the laugh instead of sharing how I really feel.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

21. I get uncomfortable when people don’t follow the plan.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

22. I feel like I’m the outsider in most groups or teams.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

23. I work hard to be seen as valuable through my results.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

24. I keep my opinions to myself to avoid being judged.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

25. I’d rather trust myself than rely on others to get it right.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

26. I feel responsible for maintaining harmony in the room.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

27. I often feel separate or different, even among close colleagues.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

28. I get restless in overly structured or bureaucratic environments.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

29. I avoid expressing anger or frustration directly.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

30. I get anxious if I don’t know what’s going to happen next.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

31. I strive to be exceptional and struggle with feeling “good enough.”(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

32. I often carry the emotional weight of the team.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

33. When there’s a strong consensus, I feel compelled to look for what might be missing.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

34. I often hide my stress with a joke or light comment.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

35. I’d rather withdraw than risk being misunderstood.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

36. I prefer to be in control so I don’t have to depend on anyone.(Required)

Rarely true

Occasionally true

Often true

Almost always true

Almost done!

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