There is a lot of buzz these days as to what qualities are important in the workplace. Some say you need high levels of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in order to succeed. Others are more traditional and claim the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is still king (or queen) when it comes to strong performance. And yet, others now believe a person’s Adaptability Quotient (AQ) is the most determinative factor in one’s ability to navigate today’s chaotic and ever changing marketplace. So just what is the most important quality a person needs to flourish and succeed?
Of course, it would be nice to point to one quality or characteristic as the holy grail of success. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case anymore. All of these factors are interrelated and each affects how we approach, react, analyze, and perform in any given situation. However because today’s business environment (as well as our personal lives) is so fluid and changes so quickly, one characteristic is gaining more attention than the others. Many employers now consider the ability of an individual to adapt and thrive in uncertain situations to be one of the most valuable skill-sets an employee can bring to an organization.
The importance of adaptation can even be seen in the term AQ itself. In 1997, Dr. Paul Stoltz wrote the book Adversity Quotient, Turning Obstacles into Opportunities. The book dealt with the ability of people to deal with difficult situations in life and just how they do that. It became known as the science of resilience. Today however, when employers refer to AQ, they are discussing the ability to adapt to– rather than overcome– adverse or evolving situations. But why would adaptability be considered more valuable than resilience in today’s marketplace?
To be clear, both qualities are important. One trait may be more beneficial than the other in any given situation. However, there is a critical difference between the two characteristics. Adaptability is a proactive trait, whereas resilience is a reactive trait. And in today’s mercurial business environment, most employers find proactive employees to be more valuable than reactive staff members. By definition, resilience implies the ability to overcome obstacles and return to the previous state. Adaptability refers to the ability to adapt and thrive in new sets of conditions.
If you want to improve your adaptability quotient, first examine your level of cognitive rigidity. Do you have trouble switching your mindset from one perspective to another? If so, you have a higher level of cognitive rigidity. If you can examine situations from different mindsets and viewpoints, you have greater cognitive flexibility. The latter will make it easier to increase your AQ. The former just indicates you may have a longer learning curve, but change is certainly not impossible.
Here are five steps to develop your Adaptability Quotient.
Keep an open mind. This is the bedrock concept for anyone who wants to become more adaptable. When I was in the corporate world, I used to hear “Because we’ve always done it that way and it works” as a reason for maintaining the status quo. In today’s world, the only thing that a mindset like will get you is left behind.
Scan the horizon for new possibilities. As mentioned above, adaptability is all about being proactive rather than reactive. Keep your radar up, looking for unexpected changes. Be curious. If you sense a change is coming, ask yourself the “what if” questions. What if this happens? How will this affect me, my department, and my organization? How can I use this to everyone’s advantage?
Reach out. This is a good example of how qualities such as EQ and AQ are inter-related. Don’t try to adapt or make a plan on your own. Reach out to others. Listen to what they have to say. Look at the situation for their perspectives. Use the “Yes, and…” technique when brainstorming. At the end of every suggestion or thought, tack on the words “yes, and…” Doing so encourages creativity and innovation. Communication is vital to change, as is humility. Don’t assume your way is the right way. Working together to access and analyze situations increases the possibility of ultimate success.
Develop yourself. Many of us shy away from unfamiliar territory. Quite frankly, it’s easier, but it isn’t smarter. Make it a point to continually improve yourself. Become a life-long learner if you aren’t already. Necessary skill-sets today are continually evolving, but education and training aren’t.
Push past your comfort-zone. Staying inside your comfort-zone is safe, but limiting. Allow yourself to push boundaries and become comfortable in uncomfortable situations. This is where you learn to adapt and thrive in new conditions rather than trying to change the conditions to match what you already know.
As technology advances, human adaptability will become even more important. Just as automation revolutionized the assembly line, algorithms now spot trends and patterns in data faster than human analysts. Technological developments will continue to impact jobs at all levels of organizations. How do we use that extra time to bring value and satisfaction to the workplace, rather than simply becoming obsolete? By looking for new opportunities brought about by unexpected change and creating ways to adapt and thrive because of–not in spite of–the change itself.
Chris Griffin is an executive coach with over twenty-five years’ experience in corporate senior management. With an understanding of the corporate mindset, business owners’ trials, and human psychology, Chris helps his clients navigate and leverage change within the different stages of their lives and careers. He holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology and certifications in both wellness coaching and workplace wellness.