Shifting / Adaptability

A very important executive function that individuals must master to be successful is adaptability.  Adaptability is the ability to modify or adjust one’s thoughts and behaviors to new, changing, and unexpected situations.  Today, one might call it the ability to ‘pivot’ when an unforeseen situation arises.

We use adaptability all the time.  Here is a simple example.  Imagine that you’re getting ready to have breakfast and you realize that the milk in the refrigerator is expired.  What do you do? Do you get mad and go to work without eating breakfast?  Do you have something else for breakfast?  Do you go to a café and eat there?  Cognitive shifting allows you to think about other options when your original plan is altered with an unexpected change.  For example, a truck driver uses adaptability when a highway he is driving on is bumper-to-bumper due to a car accident and he makes the decision to exit and take another route.  A manager uses adaptability when a colleague has a sudden medical emergency and she has to redistribute his work in order to ensure deadlines are met.

From Stiff to Stretchy

The degree of adaptability each person has varies widely.  On one end of the spectrum, there are people who hate anything new or unanticipated and don’t like change or shocks and will resist it at all cost.  On the other end of the spectrum are people who love everything that is new and embrace alterations and surprises with ease.

Those who hate change might be seen as rigid and unyielding.  They could be labeled as stuck, immovable, fixed, static, set, predetermined, unchanging, or predictable.  While others who simply dislike change just for the sake of change, but adjust when necessary, might be seen as secure, stable, certain, dependable, sure, or constant.

The same is true for the other end of the spectrum.  Someone who loves change might be described as unpredictable, erratic, flighty, impulsive, wayward, capricious, indecisive, or frivolous.  While someone who likes change when it makes sense might be viewed as open-minded, easy going, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, or pliable.  These all reflect degrees of adaptability.

This ability to change in order to suit different conditions is also referred to as cognitive shifting.  Cognitive shifting allows you to see that what you’re doing isn’t working, and make the appropriate changes to adapt to new situations.  Whereas flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to a change with ease, cognitive shifting or adaptability is the mental process that makes it possible to actually adapt to the change. This plays an important role in learning and problem solving. It allows you to choose a strategy and carry it out in order to adapt to a new condition.  It helps you capture information from the environment and respond to it effectively, adjusting behavior to the changes that the situation requires.

Adaptability at Work

How does this apply at work?  In business, being adaptable is key to success.   If you are someone with strong adaptability or cognitive shifting, you able to adapt quickly to changes or new situations.  You are easily able to transition from one activity to another and knows how to carry yourself properly in every situation.  You can capture various dimensions of reality, see from different points of view, and recognize hidden relationships, which allows you to easily find different solutions to the same problem.  You are able to not only set goals, plan, and carry out the plan, but you can also supervise your own actions and correct your behavior depending on the results.

Being able to adapt to changing environments and work processes makes you a stronger overall professional.  Being adaptable means you are open and willing to learn new things, take on new challenges and make adjustments to suit transitions in the workplace.  Being adaptable is highly valued in almost all workplaces, since every industry and business can be unpredictable.  It means you are able to respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes.  It can be important when working on projects, developing strategies and implementing different approaches to meeting goals. By being adaptable, you show how motivated you are to grow.

Increasing your Adaptability

But what happens if you’re not a highly adaptable person?  What if this is an executive function you simply are not good at? Like all executive functions, adaptability is a cognitive process you can improve.  While being adaptable and open to change is not always easy for some, there are ways to develop and improve your adaptability skills.  Some simple tips are to get out of your comfort zone and be open to new opportunities.  Improve your listening skills to better understand what options are available.  Ask more questions so you see alternatives in every situation.  And be open to making mistakes in the search for alternatives.  Here are some other tips.

1. Stay Well-Informed of Changes in your Environment

One way to develop your adaptability skills is to be highly aware of changes in your work environment. For example, if you were to observe that the IT team is updating software and part of your team’s responsibilities involves use of several software programs, it would help to stay updated on the changes in the pipeline and do research so that it is not a surprise when the change is announced.  You might also remain aware of policies, procedures and other operational processes to stay abreast of changes to various company practices.

2. Develop a growth mindset

Being adaptable means being willing to learn and try new things. Embracing a growth mindset can influence your ability to take on new challenges, find new opportunities to develop your knowledge and contribute to new projects.

3.  Search for Alternative Solutions

Adaptable people are able to bend when their first suggestion or preferred solution does not go over well. Being adaptable involves preparing backup, alternative options for discussion. Within a work team, presenting multiple ideas and showing acceptance when your primary choice is rejected helps you come across as a team player.  In making a sales pitch to a client, suggesting alternative product solutions when the first recommendation is rejected can help you get more sales and achieve better results.

4.  Accept Surprises

People who aren’t adaptable tend to get stressed and uncomfortable when faced with new, unexpected and urgent projects.  So to demonstrate more adaptability, be willing to take on tasks or projects that are urgent or important to the organization. By agreeing to such surprises, you have a better chance of finding support when you need immediate help or want a choice assignment.

5.  Accept New Roles

In highly evolving, fast-paced industries, company restructures are fairly common, with acquisitions and mergers happening on a regular basis. To show a commitment to the organization, be cooperative and helpful when transitioning into a new or expanded role. This is difficult for many, since change is a common source of stress.  However, demonstrating loyalty and adaptability often helps you get ahead on the promotional ladder.  And, taking on new roles and responsibilities expands your portfolio of experiences and skills.

6.  Show Calm and Confidence

Your initial reaction to a dilemma or a sudden troubling event provides an immediate perception of your adaptability in the workplace. Remain poised, calm and ready to make a quick decision when faced with an unexpected challenge.  The ability to adapt in this way is especially important for organizational leaders who set the tone for their employees. Adaptable leaders who show a balance of calm and quick flexibility usually pass on those traits to others.

Adaptability is one of those cognitive processes that is used daily, invaluable at work, and can be boosted over time.  So embrace the ability to shift as needed.  Over time, that will develop into cognitive flexibility.  We’ll look at that next week.  So stay tuned.

Quote of the Week
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” George Bernard Shaw

© 2022, Keren Peters-Atkinson. All rights reserved.