Developing Adaptability Skills

Addressing change effectively requires helping everyone in an organization develop adaptability skills. Like most skills, some employees will have more experience, some are less stressed by change and others can be very resistant. That means that a one-size-fits-all approach to developing adaptability will probably not work. Instead, your organization needs to think about several ways to get everyone to a place where changes can happen with the least amount of friction possible.

The definition of workplace adaptability is the ability to respond to different scenarios and challenges within the workplace in a constructive way. It's not as simple as just being more flexible. Adaptable leaders and employees are those who develop targeted skill sets, processes, and frameworks that allow them to quickly and efficiently deal with different situations as they happen.

This has a connection to employee health and well-being, both mental and physical. Our brain’s ability to adapt happens when we can manage stress. That means having quality sleep, being hydrated, and giving our bodies the fuel they need to thrive through challenges. It means we can physically read our own stress levels and get support if needed. The more there is a focus on overall well-being, the more successful your organization will be in developing adaptability skills. It also means that during change or a crisis, these new skills will more likely be used effectively.

Skills needed for successful change to happen include cognitive adaptability.  It is the ability to quickly and successfully look at something from a different viewpoint and potentially come up with new strategies. 

Adaptability is about understanding how we are personally and emotionally reacting and being aware of how others on our teams are reacting. People in your organization with high emotional adaptability are better equipped to handle stress, maintain their composure during challenges, and support their co-workers and team members. They can get out of their own “heads” and be the leaders you need them to be in times of change.

Good communication is always important to having a productive working environment.  During change, it is a crucial skill. This means that those leading change are able to communicate with a wide variety of people, sometimes very quickly and under stress. It also means they have good listening skills to understand and respect different options.

Creative problem-solving is part of adaptability and a skill that is important when change is happening. No plan can account for every challenge. Fostering more innovation and original thinking may feel uncomfortable. However, during times of change, your company may need a more novel approach to a complex program that suddenly comes up. You need team members who are comfortable with leading problem sessions and are able to effectively decide which ideas will work best.

Adaptability also is something that goes hand in hand with a focus on lifelong learning.  These are your proactive learners, the ones who are constantly looking for opportunities to gather new knowledge. These may be some of the best people to include on change management teams. They usually come with a growth mindset and are often employees who are self-motivated to keep up with new trends and challenges in your industry.

There are also personal pluses in working on your own adaptability skills. It helps you personally build your own resilience. The more you face and get through challenges, the more your brain sets you up to succeed the next time.

The more you exercise these skills, the easier change becomes, and it doesn’t feel as overwhelming. Over time, you will be more able to trust yourself to make difficult decisions. You can train yourself to quickly move into finding solutions and reducing the stress you might feel because of change.

The good news is it also boosts your productivity. Instead of spending time and energy worrying about what could happen, you’ll now be more likely to find solutions, break those into action steps, and then meet change goals.

Adaptability can be easier for some and harder for others. Regardless, everyone can get better and be adaptable. It is a skill that can be developed. It is a skill that can help our organizations and ourselves be more successful in our careers and in our personal lives.