From Uncertainty to Possibility: Helping Your Team Become Change Adaptable, Part II
Written by: Donna Thaxter, Training, Coaching and Personal Development Consultant
Part II of our Two-Part Workforce Strategies Series:
Change-Adaptability: A Business-Critical Skill
The Center for Creative Leadership has identified the inability to adapt to change as the most frequent cause of career derailment among North American managers. In a world that's constantly evolving, the capacity to adapt to change is a critical skill for both personal and organizational success. Adaptable leaders and employees bring value to their organizations because they’re better prepared to handle changing business needs. For managers, effective leadership begins with introspection. Leaders have first to understand their own response to change before guiding their teams through it.
Adaptability Can be Developed
Adaptability is a soft skill that can be learned and developed. Start with six key questions to evaluate your current personal Adaptability Quotient (AQ):
1. How quickly and easily do I adapt to change (am I a good role model for change adaptability)?
2. Do I have a growth mindset? For example, do I have a desire to learn, and do I demonstrate perseverance when working through change?
3. Do I develop a clear picture of the changes that need to happen and the end goals for the change?
4. Do I break a large change into smaller, more manageable parts to create early wins?
5. Am I receptive and responsive to feedback from my team and peers?
6. Do I maintain a positive mindset even when circumstances are less than favorable?
Adaptable leaders are the champions of change within their organizations, whether it's adapting to technological developments, mergers, or restructuring. You will achieve better team alignment and smoother transitions when you model successful adaptability skills and support your team through changes. Please contact our Director, Bill Dolan, to discuss how we can work with your team leaders to help build their team’s AQ and become more change-adaptable. You can reach Bill via email (WDolan@scapartnering.com) or phone (617-694-2617).
