6 Ways to Develop Workplace Adaptability and Embrace Change
The workplace is a dynamic place that is constantly evolving. The campaign that works wonders today may be a complete failure tomorrow. The colleague you’ve always relied on suddenly takes a leave of absence.
We’ve all experienced this firsthand over the past few years as companies adapted to the ups and downs of working during a pandemic. Those changes have been significant. But even slight modifications, like new software or a change of desk, can cause disruption for you and your team.
Often, changes are out of your control. What you can control is how you react when they happen. Do you want to be someone others turn to in difficult times? Do you want to be a leader who can guide others? Like many soft skills, adaptability is a skill you can learn. By developing adaptability in the workplace, you can learn to deal with inevitable changes and even grow from them.
What is adaptability in the workplace?
Adaptability in the workplace is the ability to respond effectively to different scenarios and challenges that occur in the workplace. It is not simply about being more flexible. People who have the ability to adapt develop specific skill sets, processes, and frameworks that allow them to quickly and efficiently deal with different situations as they arise.
Gaining the ability to adapt at work will help you respond well to new situations, new roles, new projects, and new clients. When you develop this skill set, you will be able to deal with any changes that come your way.
The 3 Types of Adaptability Skills
Understanding what adaptability skills are and where they come from can help you develop your own skill set.
Cognitive Adaptability
Cognitive adaptability allows you to imagine different potential scenarios and plan based on different outcomes. Developing cognitive adaptability will not guarantee that you make the right decision, but it will help you structure your thoughts during the decision-making process.
Emotional Adaptability
It may sound cliché, but it’s a reality that almost all colleagues work differently, think differently, and as human beings, are different. Emotional adaptability skills help you accept and acknowledge that. This skill set can help you connect with all types of personalities, even those that are different from your own.
Personality Adaptability
Having an adaptable personality allows you to see a situation for what it is and what it can become. When faced with a challenge, you can see the bigger picture. You can recognize imperfections while also seeing opportunities. It’s a combination of realism and optimism, useful for responding to any situation.