March 17, 2025
In today's rapidly evolving world, leaders must adapt to changing markets, technologies, and people. We often hear that "change is the only constant," yet some people thrive amid change while others struggle to adapt. Although certain learned behaviors and beliefs might make someone naturally more adaptable, anyone can learn to improve their relationship with change.
Adaptability—the ability to adjust to new conditions—is a superpower in the workplace, especially in fast-growing companies. It enables leaders to maintain a level head, make conscious decisions, and communicate confidence even during extreme uncertainty. Higher adaptability also reduces stress and stress-related conditions like burnout.
The journey to improved adaptability begins with understanding your current response to change.
Practice Reflect on a recent significant shift in your work. Consider the steps you took, your goals, and what you might do differently next time. This reflection process helps identify patterns in your response to change and areas for improvement. Ask yourself: How do you typically react to unexpected changes? What emotions arise? What strategies have worked well for you in the past?
Building awareness of your thought patterns and emotions during change helps you stay focused on your goals and intentions while making challenging decisions. Mindful presence means staying grounded in the current moment rather than getting lost in anxiety about the future or regret about the past. This skill allows you to respond thoughtfully to changes rather than react instinctively.
Practice For the remainder of this article, expand your awareness from the words on the screed to the feelings in your body, the sounds in the room, and the thoughts streaming through your mind.
A well-developed leadership identity is crucial for success in times of change. When you understand and connect with your core philosophies and motivations as a leader, decision-making becomes more intuitive. You develop an internal compass that guides your choices, even in unfamiliar territory. Moreover, being grounded in deeper morals and values helps you release attachment to day-to-day tactics, tools, or schedules when change requires it.
Practice Choose 3-5 moments in your leadership journey that are indicative of your leadership style and beliefs. Write about the environment, thoughts, and feelings that you had while in the midst of those moments. What do these moments have in common? What about your response to them?
Genuinely accepting what you can and cannot influence helps maintain presence and awareness when facing uncertainty. It narrows your focus and removes attachment to factors beyond your control. With practice, you'll recognize that you can only control your response to emotions, thoughts, and external stimuli through your words and behaviors. Excellence in this area distinguishes exceptional leaders from average ones.
Practice Spend more time with one of the moments above. What decisions did you make, and what happened? Reflect deeply on how much of the outcome was directly related to your thoughts and emotions.
The key to building adaptability lies in consistent practice across these four pillars. Start by observing your responses to small changes in your daily routine. Notice your thought patterns, emotional reactions, and behavioral responses. Practice making conscious choices rather than automatic reactions.
When facing larger changes, take time to reflect on your leadership identity and values. How can you align your response to change with your core principles? What opportunities does this change present for living your values more fully?
Regular practice in understanding and working with your locus of control will gradually increase your comfort with uncertainty. Focus your energy on what you can influence while accepting what you cannot control. This balance creates the foundation for sustainable adaptability in leadership.
Remember that developing adaptability is a journey, not a destination. Each challenge presents an opportunity to strengthen these skills and become a more resilient, effective leader. Enjoy your practice!
