To overcome challenges big and small, you need adaptability skills. Whether it's in the workplace or outside of it, learning how to adapt can help you thrive.
Have you ever taken a vacation only to have your plans keep getting disrupted? Maybe your taxi got lost, and you ended up late for a tour. Or perhaps a rainstorm blew in on the one day you had planned to go to the beach.
You could let situations like these ruin your trip, or you could be open-minded and adaptable. When challenging circumstances come up, it’s up to you to remain calm and focus on new possibilities.
Let's look at what adaptability mean and ways to improve your adaptability skills for resilience and mental strength.
What is adaptability?
Adaptability is the ability and willingness to change your response to unexpected situations. When you embrace change, you make things smoother for yourself and others. Skills like adaptability are important for keeping a positive mindset.
Some of life’s greatest blessings arrive via unexpected pathways. If you get upset when things don’t go as planned, it’s hard to enjoy the serendipity of life. Opening your mind to unanticipated changes can transform your perspective.
Becoming more adaptable can also lead to success and well-being. Adaptability enables better learning and can even serve as a protective factor against stress. If you’re struggling at a new job, becoming more adaptable could be helpful in reducing burnout.
6 types of adaptability skills
There are many types of adaptability skills, and you’ll find that all are useful throughout your life.
1. Personality adaptability
Personality-based adaptability is the capability to adjust your behavior according to new situations. Say one of your coworkers gets promoted to leadership. You will likely adapt your behavior by showing them a different type of respect. This adaptation recognizes that the delegation of authority has changed between you.
2. Cognitive adaptability
Cognitive adaptability allows you to adapt your mind to new information. While incorporating new info sounds easy, there are many instances where it can be hard to readjust your thinking. For example, consider the idea of a new health study contradicting how you’ve been living. Suppose it declares that your diet or exercise routine may have harmful effects. If you believed you were living a healthy lifestyle, you may feel inclined to brush this information off rather than accept it.
The tendency to believe the earliest information you receive is called anchoring bias. You’ve likely seen this in other people, whether about health habits or politics. Denying information is sometimes easier than adjusting your reality. Cognitive adaptability starts with the self-awareness to recognize anchoring bias in yourself.
3. Emotional adaptability
Emotional adaptability skills focus on your ability to bounce back after difficult circumstances. Having a solid support network is beneficial when trying to move on. The ability to pick yourself up after facing a challenge is known as emotional resilience. Rather than agonize over the past, emotionally adaptive people focus on how they can impact the present. This psychological flexibility is a valuable skill that shows inner strength.
4. Interpersonal adaptability
Interpersonal adaptability involves adjusting your communication style and behavior to effectively interact with different people. This skill is crucial in diverse work environments or social settings.
It includes being able to read social cues, understand different perspectives, and modify your approach to build rapport with various personalities. For instance, you might use a more formal tone with senior executives but a casual style with peers.
5. Creative problem-solving
Creative problem-solving adaptability is the ability to approach challenges from multiple angles and devise innovative solutions. This skill involves thinking outside the box, considering unconventional ideas, and being flexible in your approach to obstacles.
It's particularly valuable when traditional methods fail or when facing unprecedented situations. For example, during a supply chain disruption, a creative problem-solver might find alternative materials or redesign products to meet customer needs.
6. Continual learning
Continual learning adaptability is the willingness and ability to acquire new skills and knowledge throughout your life and career. This involves staying curious, being open to new ideas, and proactively seeking opportunities to expand your expertise. Today, continual learning and upskilling are essential to remain relevant and adaptable. This might involve taking online courses, attending workshops, reading industry publications, or learning from colleagues to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in your field.
10 examples of adaptability
Adaptability manifests in various ways. These examples show how adaptability helps navigate personal, professional, and social challenges effectively.
- Embracing technological changes, like quickly learning new software at work.
- Adjusting communication styles for different audiences or cultures.
- Staying calm and problem-solving during unexpected crises.
- Shifting priorities when faced with new information or circumstances.
- Being open to feedback and willing to change behaviors or methods.
- Thriving in diverse team environments with different working styles.
- Pivoting business strategies in response to market changes.
- Maintaining productivity despite changes in work environment or schedule.
- Quickly learning and applying new skills as job requirements evolve.
- Remaining flexible in social situations, like when plans change last minute.
18 tips to be a more adaptable person
By integrating these tips into your daily life and work environment, you can cultivate greater adaptability and resilience, making it easier to navigate and thrive in both personal and professional settings.
How to be more adaptable at work
1. Embrace change positively
When encountering new workplace situations, maintain a positive attitude. Embracing change sets a precedent for future adaptability.
2. Seek opportunities in challenges
When projects or routines change unexpectedly, view these changes as opportunities to learn and grow rather than sources of stress.
3. Build new skills
Continuously develop both hard and soft skills. This preparation ensures you feel more confident and less thrown off course by unexpected changes.
4. Volunteer for new projects
Take on new tasks or projects outside your usual responsibilities. This exposure to different aspects of your job enhances your adaptability.
5. Stay open to feedback
Accept constructive criticism and use it to improve your performance. This openness helps you adapt and grow in your role.
6. Reframe your mindset
Regularly examine and reframe your thinking to overcome any mental blocks that hinder adaptability. Focus on positivity and new perspectives.
7. Learn from coworkers
Collaboration at work is a required part of many job positions. According to a survey by the online recruitment company, Zippia, 75% of employees rank teamwork as highly important. Work to build relationships and learn new skills from your colleagues.
8. Practice problem-solving
Develop and trust your problem-solving capabilities. Confidently approaching challenges ensures you remain productive and adaptable.
9. Adapt to new technologies
Stay updated with technological advancements and be willing to learn new systems quickly to maintain productivity during transitions.
10. Set healthy boundaries
Ensure you have clear boundaries at work to manage stress effectively. This practice supports mental resilience and adaptability.
How to develop adaptability in life
11. Go on spontaneous trips
Plan trips without a strict agenda. This practice helps you become more comfortable with the unexpected and enhances your adaptability.
12. Try new foods
Order something different at restaurants to get used to new experiences and develop a more flexible mindset.
13. Take an improv class
Engage in activities like improv or open mic nights to practice thinking on your feet and handling unexpected situations.
14. Explore new hobbies
Pick up hobbies that are outside your usual interests. This exposure broadens your comfort zone and adaptability.
15. Read diverse books
Read books on unfamiliar topics to expand your knowledge and adaptability in thinking.
16. Accept constructive criticism
Embrace feedback in all areas of life. Constructive criticism helps you grow and adapt to new situations more effectively.
17. Engage in unusual activities
Try activities you typically wouldn’t, like going to an escape room or attending a play. These experiences help you become more adaptable.
18. Start a journaling practice
Reflect on your experiences and challenges in a journal. This practice helps you process changes and develop a more adaptable mindset.
Benefits of being more adaptable
A 2024 LinkedIn report says adaptability is the top skill of the moment. If you’re searching for a job, remember transferable skills like adaptability draw employers to you. This is because you need them in every position.
In addition to helping you get a new job, here are examples of the ways adaptability can benefit you:
Reducing stress
Do you find yourself easily overwhelmed or stressed out by the little things? Adaptability skills can help you embrace a more laid-back, easygoing attitude. With time, you’ll likely see that being able to adjust to new plans makes your life smoother.
Turning challenges into opportunities
For example, imagine your daily commute to work is disrupted by unexpected road construction. Instead of becoming frustrated and stressed, someone with strong adaptability skills might use the opportunity to explore a new route, perhaps discovering a more scenic or quicker path in the process. This flexibility not only reduces stress but also turns potential inconveniences into positive experiences.
Easier communication
Adaptability also makes it easier for others to communicate with you. Not making a big deal about small details can improve your interpersonal relationships.
Enhancing social outings
Let’s say you’re out drinking coffee with friends, and the cafe is out of your desired drink. You could ask your friends to go elsewhere and upend everyone’s plans. Or you could use the situation to try something new.
Handling workplace changes
For example, in a fast-paced work environment, projects and priorities can shift rapidly. An adaptable employee can quickly adjust their workflow to accommodate these changes, ensuring that they remain productive and meet deadlines.
Entrepreneurial success
Adaptability is also a key characteristic of entrepreneurs. Successful entrepreneurs often pivot their business strategies in response to market trends or unexpected challenges, ensuring long-term success and growth.
Leverage your adaptability skills and start to thrive
When you learn how to improve your adaptability skills, you evolve as a person. Using tools to challenge yourself and build resilience is essential for success. You’ll become more relaxed and content with life as a result. You’ll be proud of yourself for how you’re able to adapt through every path of life.
Becoming more adaptable is easier with people who support your journey. Working with a BetterUp Coach can help you identify areas where adaptability skills can make life better.
Once you commit to adaptability, you can begin to thrive in any environment. With time and practice, you’ll see that great things lie beyond your comfort zone. Strong adaptability skills can help get you where you want to go.
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