3. Ways of adaptability

As we can see, adaptability is also a competence. It is a soft skill, which involves being able to learn new skills and behaviours quickly in response to changing circumstances. Employers generally look for adaptability when hiring new staff and the skill is often included in job descriptions because of its importance for growth within a role.

Adaptability is particularly important for leaders. As leaders move from supervisory to middle management and finally to more senior positions, they must adapt their style.

Leadership roles increase in complexity as one moves up in an organisation, requiring more subtle influencing and persuasive skills. And, as leaders become more senior in an organisation, they need to learn to empower, delegate, form strategic alliances and let go of some of the skills that enabled them to perform effectively in previous leadership positions.

Adaptation at work requires modifying our behavioural patterns with intelligence, cunning and control to adjust to internal or external changes in our environment to flow through the most difficult situations.