1.
the right person in the right place; well-matched assignment
The principle of assigning each person to the role that suits their abilities. A four-character compound (四字熟語) used constantly in discussions of staffing and team-building.
Common collocations
- 適材適所の人事: staffing that matches people to roles
- 適材適所に配置する: to assign people where they fit
- 適材適所を心がける: to aim for the right fit
Usage
Often used to praise an assignment after the fact (適材適所だ) as well as to state the principle. It can also soften a reassignment: moving someone out of a role sounds better framed as 適材適所 than as a demotion.