Behavior of the week: Be Flexible & Adaptable

In the competitive world of business, companies must adapt to changing requirements or perish at the hands of competitors who were better able to adapt. In dynamic, changing circumstances many of the problems leaders are called upon to solve are ambiguous, i.e., the exact nature of the problem and the source of it are unclear. Leaders must effectively deal with ambiguity, uncertainty, and risks. 

A strong leader is always open to change and new information and adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. If this is not already something you practice, how do you start?

Some people are more predisposed to adaptability than others but this characteristic can be learned. Flexibility is both a mindset and a combination of practices.

Want an example? Try eating family style. It is hard enough to agree on something when hunger isn’t involved but if you have to arrive at a shared menu with another person or group, it is going to require flexibility. Pick the one or two things that you must have and then leave yourself open to other suggestions. Even if something doesn’t sound good, try it anyway. You may like and it may make you more adaptable in the future.

For a workplace based activity, reflect back on your last team project. We all have very clear ideas of what a final product will look like and the steps we need to take to get there. Chances are that your ideas are different than your teammates though. Next time you find yourself in a situation where someone comes back with something that is different than you expected, try accepting it and adjusting your own attitude or submission accordingly.

If you are looking for a daily practice to improve flexibility, just look out for the innumerable moments of frustration or dissatisfaction that arise throughout the day. From the non-fat latte when you ordered soy to the unexpected traffic jam, life gives us plenty of opportunities to practice being flexible. Remember, the key is not to ignore the frustration but to process it effectively. So, next time it happens, take a deep breathe and formulate a reasonable response.