Matthew Henson was a stock clerk in a Washington, D.C. hat store when he first met Robert E. Peary. Lt. Peary (later Rear Admiral) had come to the store to purchase a sun helmet and was looking for an assistant to accompany him on an expedition. He asked the store owner for recommendations.

The shopkeeper was quick to recommend Henson for the job. Peary sized up the young man and then offered him the position. Thus began a 22-year relationship of exploration, ultimately leading both men to a frigid search for the North Pole.

Because he adapted gracefully to new conditions, Matthew Henson joined Robert Peary as the first to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909.

It was Peary who outfitted, planned, and led their various expeditions. But it was Henson who especially grew to enjoy the Eskimo homeland. He adapted to the arctic with such enthusiasm that he even spoke of living with the Eskimos in northern Greenland one day.

Henson never did actually take up permanent residence in the arctic north, but he adopted the Eskimo language, he learned to drive a dog sled as well as the best of the Eskimo hunters, and he otherwise adapted so well to his new situation that the Eskimos gave hem an Eskimo that meant Matthew the Kind One. They called hem "the great Miy Paluk."

Flexibility is a willingness to adapt to new (and perhaps uncomfortable) situations, and to do so with enthusiasm.

Matthew Henson's cheerful adaptation to the new conditions of the arctic became so legendary that the Eskimos of northern Greenland adopted a new word into their vocabulary to describe his unusual spirit.

Henson regularly wakened the team each morning with a cheerful voice, shouting, "Ahdoolo! Ahdoolo!" The word ahdoolo was a nonsense word Matthew had invented - it meant nothing in the Eskimo language. But it was humorous to the sturdy natives of the northland to hear it and to see Matthew Henson's enthusiasm in the face of the difficulties of their journey.

As a result, the Eskimos of Greenland adopted Matthew's invented word, ahdoolo, and succeeding generations continue to use it with a general meaning, "to accept difficulty with hope and good spirits."

Flexibility is adapting to new conditions with a cheerful attitude. Ironically, it was the tropics of Nicaragua that Peary had originally hired Henson to explore with him. But Henson adapted enthusiastically to the later development.

Attitude has more to do with choice than circumstances. When the climate changes - literally or figuratively - face what comes with flexibility and adapt gracefully.

FLEXIBILITY ON THE JOB

The seven last words of a dying company are, "We've never done it that way before." Whether a CEO, a desk clerk, or a technician, willingness to adapt to changes in technology and improvements in policy is imperative if a company is to survive and thrive.

The mere urge to survive would motivate a person to respond to a sudden change, like Matthew Henson's transition from tropical adventure to arctic exploration. The defining feature of flexibility, however, is the cheerful attitude with which a person is able to accept such extreme change and adapt without complaint.

When you find yourself in a transition that feels like an arctic plunge, rather than gritting your teeth "to survive," conquer your attitude. Then conquer the elements and adapt gracefully.

FLEXIBILITY WITH BALANCE

Flexibility is bending to the pressures of those who have proper authority in the area of change.

When a farmer gives a farmhand one list of jobs in the morning and then changes that list in the afternoon, the flexible assistant adapts. If, however, a neighbor passing by or another farmhand suggests a change to the day's responsibilities, compliance would not be flexibility; it would be disobedience.

Keep flexibility in balance with obedience, "quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me." Adapt to new conditions or instructions, but be careful not to take liberties with adapting an authority's instructions for yourself or others.

FLEXIBILITY VS. RESISTANCE

Willingness to change plans or ideas according to the direction of my authorities

The Latin word flexibilis comes from flexus, past participle of the verb flectere, "to bend."

Great bridges and skyscraper endure storms because they sway slightly with the wind. Palm trees bend in tempestuous storms that would destroy other trees.

Flexibility is the strength to flourish in a world of constant change and pressure. The nature of flexibility is willingness to accept new direction even when it means changing personal plans or ideas.

flex·i·bil·i·ty n 1: the ability to make needed adjustments 2: the capability for responding to change 3: a disposition of openness to new instructions 4: adaptability

Flexibility is overcoming one's own natural tendency to resist change. It is honoring the right of those in authority to make changes within their jurisdictions. It is making the most of those changes in life that cannot be controlled.

REMOVE RESISTANCE

Change is not easy. In the flow of time, as in physical motion, whenever there is a change of direction, there is also an increase in pressure and friction.

Flexibility is a recognition that changes will come and are not always as bad as they initially seem. Flexibility is expecting the inevitability of change and accepting it when it comes.

RESPECT AUTHORITY

When changes are imposed by an authority, flexibility is both the act of cooperation and the spirit of willing support. Flexibility is respecting the right of an authority to make changes and adapting cheerfully to them. Perhaps it is heeding the words of Viktor Frankl, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."

MAKE THE MOST

Not all changes are pleasant. Not all are optional. Some are disastrous. Changes in the national economy, changes in global markets, changes in personal health, changes in family relationships - all are possible, even likely.

Flexibility is learning to be as equipped as possible for both the good opportunities and the unfortunate changes that tomorrow will bring. Flexibility is also rebuilding wisely when unwelcome changes occur.

FLEXIBILITY AT HOME

Most young children enjoy playing with play dough or modeling clay. Set aside some time to join them in this activity. (Recipes for making your own are easy to find.)

THINK FLEXIBILITY 1. How did Matthew Henson show flexibility when asked to go from the equator to the arctic? 2. Is it possible to adapt cheerfully to circumstances that are unpleasant? Why or why not? Are there circumstances that should not be adapted to? “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” - Viktor Frankl

Discuss the reasons why play dough is so much fun. Would they enjoy it just as much if the dough were stiff and crumbly? Point out the flexibility of play dough and its ability to be molded into many shapes.

Remind them that situations in life often cause our plans to change. Plans can be accommodated to fit new situations much more enjoyably when we keep our plans flexible.

Character definitions and information used by permission. Copyright Character Training Institute. www.characterfirst.com
 

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