Adaptability involves the ability to respond in a wide variety of contexts.
Adaptability is the condition of one or something that is adaptable : that is, that can adapt (adjust, mold or accommodate). This quality can be the property of a living being, a procedure or a system.
Having the ability to adapt is a strength . Adaptability, depending on the context, can be associated with resilience , transformation or even evolution.
The adaptability of the human being
The adaptability of human beings is linked to their ability to function successfully in different areas and spheres . This is the flexibility evidenced by the subject who is able to respond well to modifications and alterations.
Adaptability is usually considered to depend on the psychological resources of the individual. Only someone emotionally intelligent and open-minded has a tolerance for change and the ability to handle ambiguity.
A person's adaptability can be seen in their ease of learning and their willingness to continually improve. With creativity, these men and women achieve the transformation that each situation demands of them and thus can move forward with the solution of problems.
Adaptability requires patience and tolerance for frustration.
Its importance at work
While adaptability is relevant in all areas of life, its importance is even greater at work. Currently, an employee or entrepreneur is expected to be prepared to face different types of contingencies and to be able to adapt to changing conditions .
It is understood that adaptability allows a worker to respond efficiently in different positions , assume various functions and react quickly to changes in the environment.
The receptivity to take on new challenges and accept innovative proposals, the motivation to maintain enthusiasm in dissimilar environments and the curiosity for what is new are essential factors in adaptability. It cannot be omitted to mention that adaptability, beyond the psychological structure, can be considered an attitude : the person has to be willing to take risks and constant learning.
It must be clarified, on the other hand, that adaptability does not imply accepting inconvenient conditions or ceding rights . When we talk about labor flexibility , we refer to an employment model that facilitates layoffs and favors salary cuts. An employee does not have to agree to be paid less or give up any compensation, regardless of his or her ability to adapt. In other words: adaptability is not about accepting injustice as a “survival mechanism” in a company.
In a changing reality, organizational adaptability is essential for the survival of a company.
The adaptability of the leader
Leader adaptability is key in any group or organization. To exercise adaptive leadership , tolerance to uncertainty, good stress management and agility are required, in addition to the responsibility, commitment and technical knowledge required of every guide.
This leader must have a global vision and long-term perspective. The variations in the panorama and the needs that change every moment also require the development of lateral thinking to find innovative solutions.
Adaptability in a leader can be seen in their emotional intelligence for change management and risk taking. These people need to show a positive attitude to drive initiatives and need to demonstrate their responsiveness.
Like any leader, the adaptive leader must rely on teamwork. Empathy to understand what the other needs is essential, as well as interpersonal skills to establish effective communication and achieve conflict resolution.
The listening capacity , in this framework, has to be exercised to promote the collaboration of team members. Knowing what others think, of course, is also unavoidable to promote the adaptability of all those involved.
Beyond work
Adaptability is crucial beyond work. Every time someone leaves their comfort zone, must work in a place they do not know or has to act in an unforeseen situation, they need to adapt.
Suppose a family decides to leave their country and settle abroad in search of a better quality of life. All clan members will have to develop their tolerance to stress due to changes and show their learning capacity for cultural adaptability.
The adults of the family group, in this framework, must show their ability to prioritize making appropriate decisions in pursuit of the stated objective. Perseverance and self-control must also be part of the resources of these people to adapt to the new space.
It is interesting to note that adaptability does not imply a resignation of autonomy or forgetting personal values . It's about fitting into another terrain but without becoming someone different. Therefore, if we return to the example of emigrants, the solution to adapt is not to copy or imitate the inhabitants of the land that receives them, but to have cultural sensitivity to understand other habits and practices and join, when possible, the rituals. and activities that do not interfere with one's convictions.