Employee Adaptability
If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic and its aftermath, it’s the need to be adaptable. Adaptability is a trait that can carry us through difficult times of change, both personally and professionally. Employee adaptability can make you stand out in a crowd, indicate leadership potential, and shows your ability to learn new skills.
Adaptability has always been a good trait to possess. Primarily because it means we’re facing some type of change. And we don’t tend to like change. According to Psychology Today, “The problem with change is that it requires us to change. And most of us do not like to change, even if the changes are positive. Change is stressful. Even positive change can cause stress because it requires us to do something different.”
Adaptability means you’re flexible and open to changing circumstances. “Flexibility is probably the most important resilience skill in dealing with change. Digging our heels in and being set in our ways usually doesn’t work. Keeping up with what is changing, making realistic plans about how to adapt and carrying them out is important.”
Adaptability is an indication of soft skills that often translate into leadership positions. According to Indeed, the following skills can help you become more adaptable.
Communication skills
Communication is one of the most important leadership skills any of us can have. Being honest and open in your communication builds credibility and trust. Practicing active listening shows openness to new ideas.
Interpersonal skills
Understanding others’ intentions, including nonverbal actions, is a key trait for adaptability. By thinking of others, you demonstrate empathy and cooperation. Building strong, authentic relationships can help you avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Problem-solving skills
The ability to solve difficult problems through thoughtful analysis demonstrates the ability to change and improve how to get things done. Being open to new ideas and approaches to problems will serve you well.
Creative and strategic thinking skills
Creativity and strategy are more closely aligned than many people think. According to the article, this can include, “developing new ideas to market products, finding ways to adapt to a changing market, and implementing methods to improve and develop new strategies.”
Teamwork skills
Being able to manage different personalities and interpersonal dynamics is essential to adaptability. Everyone has their own motivations and expectations. There is tremendous value in bringing a diverse team together and finding common ground on ways forward.
Organizational skills
The ability to be on top of things, on time, and prepared shows that you have the skill set to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Technology can help create an organized work area, calendar, and file system. Knowing where information is and retrieving it quickly shows your adaptability.
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