agility labs for greater adaptability.

An agility lab is a type of development center from Randstad with a specific focus on adaptability. For example, participants receive incomplete business cases with uncertain information, which are updated in real time across different channels under increasing time pressure. This reveals how employees truly think, act, and collaborate in a dynamic, changing context.

Randstad views agility as an attitude, not a talent. Adaptability is therefore not a fixed trait that someone is born with or without, but a mindset that becomes visible in behavior and can be developed through targeted coaching and practice.

The agile attitude model is built on input from 25 companies and comprises five competency clusters essential in an agile work environment: think (think fast and creatively), act (embrace change and take initiative), endorse (guide others through change and empower potential), connect (create impact through relationships), and reflect (show resilience and learn from experience). The model is used to objectively map employee adaptability.

An agility lab reveals, among other things, which employees deliver workable results under rising time pressure, who has an impact without direct hierarchy, and who shows resilience when goals shift along the way. These insights are measured objectively using a scientifically grounded methodology.

Depending on the objective, the results of an agility lab are compiled into a report with scores per competency or an overview of the team's strengths and focus areas in an agile context. Based on these insights, organisations can determine targeted follow-up steps, such as interactive learning and coaching sessions combining role-plays, feedback moments, and coaching.

An agility lab can be used for both purposes: identifying employees or candidates who perform well in an agile environment, and targeted training and development for employees in areas where it is needed.