“Adaptability in the workplace is no longer optional; it’s essential” writes Priyanka Chakraborty in a recent article for True Project. The ability to pivot and stay agile is what sets successful professionals apart in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. As the article highlights, “Adaptability in the workplace is paramount for professional growth, stress management, and resilience.” But how can you build adaptability into your skill set and your team?
At Competitive Edge, we specialize in helping individuals and organizations enhance their adaptability through Adaptability Quotient (AQ) assessments and certification training. By measuring the key dimensions of adaptability — Ability, Character, and Environment — we offer actionable insights to improve resilience, flexibility, and problem-solving. These three dimensions are the foundation of the ACE Model for Adaptability created by our partner, AQai.
Let’s explore the eight tips for boosting workplace adaptability that are presented in TrueProject’s article and see how their recommended strategies align with the AQai ACE Model.
1. Value Diverse Perspectives
Adaptability is nourished by being open to current ideas and perspectives. A workplace culture that encourages employees to listen to each other and embrace diverse viewpoints fosters innovation and growth. Within the ACE Model’s Environment dimension, Team Support plays a crucial role in creating an adaptable workforce. Teams that collaborate effectively, sharing knowledge and respecting different opinions, are better equipped to navigate changes.
To cultivate a supportive team environment, it is helpful to gain insights into Emotional intelligence. When people are confronted with change, stress can be high and that can amplify interpersonal conflicts or spur individuals to feel threatened or uncertain. The risk of these emotional reactions is that they can trigger defensiveness and damage trust.
When the environment is supportive it is easier to embrace diverse perspectives with an even-minded outlook, allowing professionals to safely challenge their assumptions and thereby become more flexible in their thinking. Such openness is an advantage in today’s globalized workforce, where engaging with diverse viewpoints can lead to innovative problem-solving.
2. Utilize Effective Communication
In any adaptable environment, clear and effective communication is vital. As TrueProject notes, adaptability is enhanced when you “use the right tools to gather detailed feedback for implementing change.” The article discusses the various technical modes of communication and how important they are in maintaining transparency and speed of communication. However, it isn’t only important which tools are used to communicate, but how they are used by members of an organization to support each other.
This relates to Extraversion in the AQai – ACE Model’s Character dimension, which measures how individuals prefer to communicate across different teams and contexts. In addition to direct interpersonal skills, tools like texting, email, Slack, and even good old-fashioned telephones are important in their ability to foster open dialogue. Leveraging communication platforms should be at the service of aiding teams to stay connected, removing barriers to sharing critical information, and accelerating the ability to make adjustments when changes occur. However, different individuals may be more comfortable communicating in different contexts. For example, a more outgoing person may feel more confident when communicating face-to-face, while their coworker may prefer to use email because they are less comfortable in-person and feel more confident when they have something in writing to refer to later. Understanding the spectrum of Extraversion affects interpersonal adaptability, which is a part of the Work Environment sub-dimension of the ACE Model.
3. Embrace Change Willingly
Being proactive rather than reactive is essential for cultivating adaptability. TrueProject’s guidance is to “regularly evaluate and overhaul outdated processes“ to ensure that teams are not caught off guard when changes arise. When an organization is ‘in the habit’ of making frequent improvements and adjustments based on internal initiatives, it is much nimbler when external forces disrupt current methods.
This concept ties directly into the ACE Model’s Ability dimension of Unlearn, which is the capacity to let go of outdated practices and embrace new, more effective methods. Truly adaptable professionals do not complacently wait for change to happen; they actively seek out ways to improve and adjust their approaches before they become obsolete and more drastic measures are necessary.
4. Focus on Personal Development
One of the most effective strategies for becoming more adaptable is to invest in continuous personal and professional development. TrueProject advises to “proactively develop your skills,” as a way of staying ahead of future challenges. Professionals who stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices and modern technologies are at an advantage when those new factors make waves in their industries.
This advice directly correlates with the ACE Model’s Ability dimension, which has a sub-dimensions of Mental Flexibility and Mindset. Together these concepts encompass the open-mindedness associated with being willing to learn new things, and the positive mental outlook to see value in making the investment in time, effort and resources to continuously acquire new knowledge and develop skills that keep you adaptable. Professionals with the Mental Flexibility and Mindset to prioritize skills growth are better equipped to manage evolving roles and technologies, positioning themselves for success in dynamic work environments.
5. Engage in New Projects
Stepping outside your comfort zone by taking on new projects is a great way to develop adaptability. TrueProject recommends professionals to “apply your skills in real-world scenarios” to build confidence and adaptability. Stepping forward when asked to volunteer and successfully testing theoretical skills in consequential situations can build confidence and strengthen tenacity.
The latter strength aligns with the Grit aspect of the ACE Model’s Ability dimension, which measures persistence and commitment to long-term goals, even in the face of uncertainty. When a professional has successfully embraced some new real-world challenges, the experiences can strengthen their resolve when faced with multiple unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise derail longer term projects and goals. The individual becomes aware of their own resourcefulness but must also learn to recognize when an approach is no longer viable or counterproductive to the longer-term objectives.
6. Contribute Ideas and Participate in Discussions
Engaging in team discussions and sharing your insights is an important aspect of building adaptability. According to TrueProject, “navigating differing opinions and building consensus develop adaptability within your team.” Operating in this way helps cultivate an environment of trust that is beneficial to morale in turbulent times and encourages team members who might otherwise be reticent to contribute their insights and ideas.
In the AQ model, this relates to Mental Flexibility under the Ability dimension, which is about adjusting your thinking and seeking new approaches. However, it can have beneficial effects on the Environment sub-dimensions of Team Support and Work Environment: Regularly participating in conversations and exchanging ideas helps foster a workplace culture that is ready to adapt, contribute and innovate.
7. Stay Updated with Industry Trends
As alluded to in tip 4; in order to remain adaptable, professionals must stay informed about trends in their industry. TrueProject underscores the importance by encouraging professionals to “keep up with industry trends and tools to reduce the learning curve when adopting new methods.”
In the ACE Model’s Character dimension, Thinking Style assesses how individuals process new information and apply it effectively in their work. By staying current on industry developments, professionals can remain adaptable, quickly integrating latest trends or technologies into their workflow. Over time, the individual can learn their own biases or tendencies toward focusing on either ‘the big picture’ or ‘getting down into the details’ and thereby learn to develop a more balanced perspective.
8. Be Resourceful
Adaptability isn’t just about seeking new tools or methods—TrueProject tells the reader to “make the best use of existing tools and methods,” in other words, the resources you already have. Taking stock of current assets and finding ways to make them beneficial in changing situations can be critical for ongoing improvement.
This is another tip that touches on several aspects of the ACE Model. In the Ability dimension, Mindset, Mental Flexibility and the ability to Unlearn all contribute to resourcefulness. To use old tools and methods in new ways or for new outcomes requires creativity and a willingness to let go of past expectations. It also requires an optimistic framing that new challenges can be overcome even when all that is available are familiar resources. Other sub-dimensions also come into play, including Extroversion, Hope, Thinking Style from the Character dimension, and Company Support and Team Support from the Environment dimension. The resourceful professional knows how to communicate across teams, and is able to rally support, morale, and cooperation across organizational lines.
Why Adaptability Matters in 2024
The business landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and adaptability has become a vital skill for navigating these changes. As TrueProject points out, “adaptability is intertwined with risk management.” At Competitive Edge, we’ve seen firsthand how adaptability not only helps individuals succeed but also enables entire organizations to thrive in today’s unpredictable environment.
The AQme Adaptability assessments measure adaptability across the three key dimensions—Ability, Character, and Environment—the ACE Model provides detailed insights that professionals can use to improve their resilience, problem-solving skills, and flexibility. By understanding your adaptability profile, you can find areas for growth and work toward becoming a more adaptable leader cultivating resilience and success for your organization.
Take the Next Step: Get Your Free Adaptability Assessment
Ready to see how adaptable you are? For a limited time, at Competitive Edge, we’re offering a free AQme report to help you measure your adaptability and identify areas for improvement. Whether you’re an individual looking to enhance your skills or an organization seeking to develop a more adaptable team, our AQ assessments provide the insights you need.