Future Skills

CHAPTER 12ADAPTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY

“Change is the only constant.” Boy, did Greek philosopher Heraclitus hit the nail on the head. Considering he was alive around 500 BCE, it just goes to show that change is an enduring fact of life for humans. Yet despite its constant presence, many people struggle with change—or at the very least are wary of it. Change is uncomfortable. Change transports us from the known and safe into the unknown. It's no wonder many people don't exactly welcome change with open arms.

But in the workplaces of the future, change is going to be even more of a driving factor than it is today. New technologies and rising automation, the rapidly evolving pace of work, regular and vast business disruption, from extreme weather events to a global pandemic—these are all things that individuals and organizations have had to cope with in recent years. Think back to life 10 or even 5 years ago and it's clear that so much has changed in a short period of time. Looking ahead, I'm certain that the pace of change is only going to accelerate. And that means we must all develop the mental resilience to thrive amidst constant change. Adaptability is key to this.

In this chapter, I'll look at the mindset side of change—or what it takes, mentally, to embrace change. Turn to Chapter 19 to read about the more practical aspects of managing change in the workplace.

What Are Adaptability and Flexibility?

Adaptability is our ability to adjust to new conditions. If someone is ...