“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn.” – Hellen Keller.
Change is one thing we all dread, yet it is the inevitable constant in life. This is true even at work. Work environments are constantly in a state of change. New technologies and shifting market dynamics are fueling these changes.
While you might struggle to keep up, you will see others are using it as a launchpad for growth. The secret lies in how we adapt. Those who welcome change with an open mind get ahead of the curve. So how can you shift your mindset from being resistant to resilient? In this article, we explore what adaptability is in the workplace and the 6 best adaptability strategies for work.
What is Adaptability?
Adaptability at work means being flexible and open to change. It means adjusting your approach when things don’t go as planned or when new challenges arise. For you, this might look like picking up new programming languages. For some others, it could mean taking up unfamiliar projects. All in all, being adaptable lets you move through uncomfortable situations with grace.
Signs you are an adaptable person at work:
- You do not cling to old ways of doing things but evolve as the situation demands
- You are not afraid to step out of your comfort zone, experiment with new things, and pivot when needed
- You are proactive (not reactive!) and see change as an opportunity (not a threat!)
6 Adaptability Strategies for Work
You do not necessarily have to go with the flow always. Being resilient, rather, requires a mindset shift. What you actually need is a willingness to rethink old habits to be able to tackle whatever comes. If change feels uncomfortable for you, that makes two of us.
But let us tell you that adaptability is something that gets easier with practice. The more you push yourself to adapt, the more resilient and capable you become. Here are 6 ways to be adaptable at work and push yourself rightly:
Embrace Change
One in three people admit they avoid change whenever they can. Clinging to old habits is the opposite of adaptability. A report by Oak Change reveals that 18% of workers would think about quitting if faced with major organizational changes.
For some, change feels so daunting that 20% see leaving as a natural response – but it doesn’t have to be this way! The first step to adapting in the workplace is to stop resisting it. Change is inevitable, and fighting it only adds stress to your big to-do list for the day. When you accept that change is a part of growth, you can approach new situations with curiosity instead of fear.
Write Down the Worst-Case Scenario
In the book he wrote, Spencer Johnson said, “What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists.” This quote reminds us that the ‘anxiety’ surrounding change is often greater than the reality itself.
Writing down your biggest fears helps you overcome the ‘fear factor.’ It allows you to confront them head-on instead of letting them fester in your mind. You will feel it is not as daunting as you initially thought. A positive attitude is what makes the major difference when navigating change. If you are looking for ways to adapt to change at work, remember that positivity is what fuels resilience.
Prepare for Change
While we cannot predict every change, we can prepare ourselves to handle it better. Gartner’s Change Management Communication study says 73% of employees going through change report moderate to high levels of stress. This is often because they lack a proactive approach to dealing with change.
Being prepared gives you more confidence to face it. Preparation means simply doing your homework – researching upcoming changes, understanding their potential impact, and developing the right skills and mindset to handle them.
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Focus on What You Can Control
Remember, while we don’t have control over every minute thing happening every second at work, we can control our responses to them. Instead of getting caught up in factors beyond their control, employees should concentrate on things they can actively manage to make it better.
This is the best way to adapt to change at work. In times of change, you might easily feel overwhelmed by things out of your hands. But, you can regain a sense of control by practicing some things consciously like:
- Your work habits
- More regular and quality communication with teammates
- The way you manage your time
Channel your energy into areas where you can make a difference.
Set New Goals
When everything around you is already changing, it is a sign you need to too! Hence, organizational restructuring is an ideal time to set new goals. It will give you a sense of direction as well as confidence. These goals do not have to be large, they can be small steps that help you manage changes at work. To create effective milestones, utilize the SMART framework. Here are some things you can practice:
- Identify areas where new goals can help you adapt and grow.
- S.M.A.R.T. framework will ensure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks for steady progress.
- Place your goals on a paper in a visible place somewhere to serve as a constant reminder and keep you accountable.
- Assign realistic timelines to each goal and task.
Listen to others
Most people only absorb about 25% of what they hear each day. Developing this skill is essential for adaptability and can benefit everyone. While you are on your journey, you will come to realize sometimes that your current way of thinking/working may no longer be the best. You might find that you do not have the right answers all the time but someone else might. Thus, listening to your coworkers’ viewpoints is a good habit to develop.
Conclusion
Amid the rise of AI, adaptability in the workplace has become one of the “top skills” as per a LinkedIn report for 2024. As companies are rapidly evolving due to tech advancements, resilience is the biggest gift to have in this decade.
There could be nothing more fearless than knowing you are a quick learner, adapt to changes quickly, and are irreplaceable in your workplace. Employers, too, are increasingly seeking individuals who can not only navigate change but also leverage it to drive growth. Hence, having this superpower can push you to heights you had never imagined!
If you are looking for employee training for your teams to develop their soft skills, technical knowledge, or other crucial skills, look no further than EducationNest! EducationNest is a leading corporate training provider in India with years of experience shaping and reshaping corporate teams to drive growth through numerous corporate training programs.
