Adaptability and Flexibility:‌ Embracing Flexibility and Adaptability in the Workplace

By WiseWorld•November 11, 2023

Summary

Adaptability and flexibility are crucial cognitive skills in today’s fast-paced work environment. These skills allow employees to control when, where, and how they work, enhancing their ability to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Flexibility improves problem-solving, teamwork, job satisfaction, and retention. Key practices include flexible working hours, remote work, and results-only work environments. Developing a flexible mindset involves embracing change, practicing mindfulness, and continuous learning. Training through workshops and role-playing can foster these skills. Balancing flexibility with resilience ensures effective adaptability without compromising core principles, which is essential for navigating diverse and dynamic work scenarios.

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Introduction to Flexibility

Life has challenges, and some believe that’s the beauty of it, or at least there is no escape from it! This becomes more complicated when, as an adult, you have a private and professional life parallel, both of which become harder over time. However, some of us have skills like Neo in the movie The Matrix. As life shoots bullets at them, they bend and escape all of them. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8DajVKAkL50" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Adaptability and flexibility are part of the "Cognitive Skills," which is one of the subcategories of soft skills, according to WiseWorld.ai. Definition of adaptability and flexibility in the workplace Adaptability and flexibility in the workplace refers to the ability of employees to have some control over when, where, and how they work. This concept encompasses various arrangements and practices that allow employees to balance their professional responsibilities and personal needs and preferences. Importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing environment In the era we are living with all modern technologies and the variety of usage of AI in all aspects, change is inevitable. In this paradigm, being flexible is what we need to stay in the race and raise our flag. So let’s see how we can become chameleons in the future world. Remember, they are one of the nearest cousins of dinosaurs, so trust them to keep living in any situation.

Benefits of Being Flexible

Let’s see how adaptability helps us in action and when we should use this skill the most. Enhances problem-solving skills Problems are never the same! That’s the main difference between problems and challenges. Challenges need mindfulness, resilience, experience, and some other skills. But when we say, “There is a problem!” we all know it means there is no clue yet, and that’s hard. Because we all, as humans, want (and need) to control situations. And that is where adaptability will save your mind and concentration. As a flexible person, you will not lose control. Flexible people think of problems as new situations that need to be solved. In the depth of their subconscious, being able to keep calm and continue the routine under any circumstances is a personal ultimate goal they strive to achieve. Improves teamwork and collaboration People are not the same. Even twin siblings do not believe in the same thing or have the same lifestyle. So it would be irrational to expect or consider having coworkers friends or even family members who completely follow our rules and manners. So if we choose not to be flexible, we choose to be lonely forever! Increases job satisfaction and employee retention On the other hand, adaptability and flexibility are not just for individuals. Companies' cultures and rules can be defined as flexible or not. Key aspects of workplace adaptability and flexibility include: <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Flexible Working Hours: Allowing employees to choose their start and end times</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Remote Work: Permitting employees to work from locations outside the office</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE): Focusing on the outcomes and results of work rather than the specific working hours.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Job Sharing: Allowing two or more employees to share the responsibilities of a single full-time position.</li> </ul>

Developing Adaptability and Flexibility

As discussed, adaptability is one of the key skills we need in this era. But how can we develop a more flexible mindset and adapt ourselves? Techniques to cultivate a flexible mindset When we talk about mindset, there is no “one” solution. For each individual, there would be a way. But what are the similarities in flexible minds? It can be in a conversation about a belief you don't believe or new technology (or social events) that change your “normal and familiar situation” that you believe you have control over and know all the truth about. Galileo and the church court story is familiar to all of us. And perhaps we all think: “Oh, why didn't they accept the earth is round?!” Let's see it from the church's perspective: all the evidence that they saw confirmed that the earth is flat. Their main problem was that they didn't want to bend their beliefs! So the first thing to cultivate a flexible mindset is the next time you face a fact that doesn't align with your beliefs and experiences, do not reject it immediately. Consider the speaker as “Galileo” and just try to listen to them without prejudgment. Learning to embrace change and uncertainty What is an unpleasant situation? We as humans want (need!) to believe we have everything under our control. But the truth of life is different. Especially in professional and enterprise environments. In an era where technology changes rapidly, it is not rationally possible to look for certainty. So we need to be adaptable to situations and technologies that may change overnight. Practicing mindfulness and stress management As we accept and understand uncertainty, we need to learn ways and manners to empower and develop adaptability in ourselves. One of the most proven and experienced ways is to practice mindfulness and do some exercises like yoga that help manage stress.

Training to Improve Adaptability and Flexibility

We all know that when a person is stressed or worried, it does not work to say, “Oh! Do not be. Find the beauty in life!” Psychologists believe that “telling a depressed person to see the beauty of life is like telling a person with both legs broken to stand and run!” So usually it does not work like that. We say, “Oh. I understand. I am stressed and I will be calm from now!” We need to ask for suggestions from mentors, go to workshops, and do them consistently. Workshops and seminars on adaptability Learning in a group from an experienced person is a classic, trustworthy way. You see many other people with similar challenges that you have. It gives us confidence and shows us we are not alone and are not exceptions. How to find the best workshops that fit your type and resources is your choice, but I certainly suggest attending ones where mentors have experience in actions and push you to think, not the ones that are modern prophets who think they know the real truth of everything. Role-playing exercises to stimulate change Based on the book by Eric Berne, "<a class='no-underline text-accent' href="https://books.google.nl/books?id=svWV8-wpStgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Games+People+Play:+The+Psychology+of+Human+Relationships,+1966,%E2%80%9D&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Games%20People%20Play%3A%20The%20Psychology%20of%20Human%20Relationships%2C%201966%2C%E2%80%9D&f=false" target="_blank">Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships</a>, 1966,” everything in the world is a game. Any interaction we have as wife/husband, coworker, manager, restaurant customers, etc., is part of a big game called social life that each of us accepts to play. This made role-playing games one of the best ways to practice soft skills. Gather with some of your coworkers. Each person anonymously writes 3 things you like in your work/personal life to change on a paper. Those things may not be a big deal for everyone but touch your heart. Fold your papers and put them in a basket. Sit in a circle; by turn, each person will open one of those papers, read it aloud to everyone, and tell their guess of who wrote the note. Discuss the other members' guesses and ask the person, at last, to tell who it was for. Then tell briefly of their feelings and why they believe something needs change. This may not be the classic role-play you have known. In this role-playing, you are the main and somehow the only actor/actress. Try to change one of your routines (daily/weekly whatever intensity of exercise you choose) and write down your experience. How did you find it? What were the pros and cons? And “What if you keep it this way?” Changing one of your routines is not easy but surely will teach you big things about yourself. Continuous learning and upskilling opportunities For adaptability and flexibility, continuous learning life exercise short version is: “To get out of your comfort zone!” Each of us is flexible in some ways and rigid in others. So put yourself in situations that are not common for you. Push your boundaries. How it depends on you. The hint is to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and try to enjoy them! (Not nagging and blaming our blog during your whole experience!) When you learn to enjoy the situation that was not cool for you before the experience, you nailed the learning. Encouragement to embrace adaptability and flexibility in daily work life In our rapidly changing world, embracing adaptability and flexibility in your daily work life is essential. It allows you to navigate unforeseen challenges with ease and adapt to new situations efficiently. By being open to different approaches and willing to adjust your plans, you can enhance your problem-solving abilities and improve collaboration with your team. Flexibility and adaptability not only help you stay productive and focused but also foster a more positive and resilient mindset. Remember, just like a chameleon adapting to its environment, your ability to be flexible will help you thrive in any situation.

Adaptability and Flexibility in Different Work Scenarios

If you are one of the ones who usually look for tangible benefits of things, here are the real-life situations and scenarios in which adaptability will help us to perform better. Adapting to new roles and responsibilities Starting a new era in our life is one of the points we need adaptability and flexibility skills the most. A new career, new company or school, new location, new child, or even a new bed. We all need to be flexible and try to find ourselves in new situations. Handling unexpected challenges and emergencies We need to be always ready. Because accidents somehow made the whole world. Chance is a big part of life. Humans understand it from the first day of self-consciousness as a human species. “Dice” in a variety of number options (2-100) is one of the most ancient play tools (toys) that was found. (“<a class='no-underline text-accent' href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knucklebones" target="_blank">Knucklebones</a>” is one of the oldest of the types.) Many other ancient games like “Backgammon” are based on chances as life is based on chance. Being flexible helps us during unexpected situations to keep calm and stick to our big plan, although parts of our first plan are ruined by the unexpected and emergencies. Working effectively in diverse teams Diversity is the key parameter of modern enterprises and groups. It creates a synergy between people's different points of view as they are from a variety of cultures, ages, and life situations. Despite all the benefits of this culture, people need to be flexible to be able to be and work in an environment where there are sometimes big differences in the type, taste, and mindset of the people.

Overcoming Barriers to Adaptability and Flexibility

“No pain, no gain” is the base rule of the universe. If you do not believe in it, I suggest you read a Pinocchio story once again. What are the pains of the path of being flexible? Some are addressed below. Addressing resistance to change “To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail,” said Mark Twain (American writer). Soft skills (like any other skills and tools) are best when they are used in the right place and time by a master. By this means, as adaptability and flexibility are good, they do not always work. In many situations, we need to be resistant and try to stick to a plan. For instance, it is not rational to work in a place where everyone offends others and says: “Oh, I am flexible and I would stay.” So always keep in mind adaptability and flexibility are different from laziness or opportunism! Managing fear and anxiety about the unknown We already discussed the ongoing ascending change in our time. Also discussed is that we as humans need to feel we have control over everything. That sometimes leads us to the refusal phase. In which we unconsciously try to use excuses to sugarcoat things for ourselves. It means sometimes we prefer to consider ourselves “flexible” rather than nervous to get aside and decide on something that we prefer. The way to control it is to accept our weak points like anxiety about the unknown and not just be and consider ourselves flexible to everything. Building Resilience and Confidence Accumulated experiences in life shape our personality and lead to our decisions and manners. One of these experiences that will be a pillar of our personality that leads to our confidence is the experiences that we had at our hard dark times. Memories of our resilience build confidence in us that we can if we want. When you have one memory that, for example, you had studied hard for one year or immigrated to a new city, after the time passes and you nail the challenge, for the rest of your life you have confidence in that situation. Confidence that you can if you want. Be aware that being flexible more than you should be may cause you to lose this valuable experience.

Real-life Examples of Adaptability and Flexibility

Let's see how celebrities use adaptability in action. Case studies of successful flexible leaders Richard Branson, Virgin Group: Richard Branson is a well-known advocate for flexible working practices. At Virgin Group, he has implemented a flexible work environment that emphasizes employee autonomy and productivity. For instance, Virgin allows employees to work from home, choose their work hours, and even take unlimited vacation days as long as their work gets done. Branson believes that trusting employees to manage their own time leads to greater creativity and productivity. His leadership style has cultivated a culture where employees feel valued and empowered, which has contributed to Virgin's innovative and customer-focused approach across its various businesses. Sundar Pichai, Google: Google, under the leadership of Sundar Pichai, has been a pioneer in workplace flexibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pichai extended the option for employees to work from home until mid-2021, demonstrating the company's commitment to flexibility. Google also introduced hybrid work models, allowing employees to balance in-office and remote work. This approach has not only helped maintain productivity but also improved employee satisfaction by providing a better work-life balance. The adaptability and flexibility at Google have fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration, as employees have the freedom to work in environments where they are most productive. Stories of teams thriving through adaptability Shinise: Japanese companies, known as "<a class='no-underline text-accent' href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinise" target="_blank">Shinise</a>," demonstrate exceptional adaptability and resilience, with over 52,000 businesses operating for more than a century. A prime example is <a class='no-underline text-accent' href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong%C5%8D_Gumi" target="_blank">Kongo Gumi</a>, a construction firm founded in 578 AD, which has thrived by balancing tradition with innovation. This longevity is attributed to a strong emphasis on sustainability, community bonds, and a long-term vision over immediate profits. Companies like Kongo Gumi and Gekkeikan, a sake producer, prioritize employee well-being and customer satisfaction, fostering loyalty and stability. These practices highlight the importance of adaptability and flexibility in achieving long-term success. Cisco's embrace of flexible work arrangements has been a key factor in its success. The company offers telecommuting, flexible hours, and remote work options, which were expanded further during the pandemic. This adaptability has allowed Cisco to support employee well-being and maintain productivity. By fostering a flexible work environment, <a class='no-underline text-accent' href="chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/ciscoitatwork/business_of_it/docs/Cisco_IT_Insights_GenY.pdf" target="_blank">Cisco</a> has been able to attract and retain a talented and diverse workforce, contributing to its leadership in the networking and cybersecurity sectors.

Complementary Skill: Resilience

One complementary to adaptability and flexibility is resilience. Definition and importance of resilience Resilience, in a formal definition, is the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. Resilience also is another face of adaptability. Being flexible physically is different from being mentally flexible. In mental resilience, to tolerate situations you need to be as resilient as flexible. This quote tells all you need to understand about the importance of resilience: "If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." – Martin Luther King Jr. How resilience complements adaptability and flexibility As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Be flexible but stick to your principles.” Most things in nature are flexible or resilient. But we as humans make modern materials that are both, like nanofibers. Being flexible in resilience is the superpower that helps you pass the challenges you do not think of yet. Develop resilience alongside adaptability and flexibility The main point of using adaptability and resilience skills simultaneously (and wisely) is to be aware of the border between being flexible and resilient. One of the best ways is to ask others. It can be your friends, family, coworkers, or therapist. It is always easier to see and analyze others from your point of view. People are judging you whether you like it or not, as you do the same. So take advantage and ask others if they think your placement in the interval is rational and suitable or not. Understanding the danger of being too flexible and not resilient may help to understand it better. You may have heard of Stockholm syndrome (Britannica definition: psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands). In this syndrome, being too flexible will end not well.

In a Nutshell

Whether you read all or jump here for the conclusion, here are the key points: Recap of key points <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Definition of Adaptability and Flexibility: Flexibility as a soft skill refers to the ability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. This includes being open to new ideas, managing multiple tasks efficiently, and handling unexpected challenges with grace.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Benefits of Adaptability and Flexibility: Adaptability and flexibility enhance problem-solving skills, improve teamwork and collaboration, and increase job satisfaction and employee retention. They allow individuals and companies to adapt to rapidly changing environments and diverse team dynamics.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Developing a Flexible Mindset: Cultivating adaptability and flexibility involves embracing change and uncertainty, practicing mindfulness and stress management, and continuously learning and upskilling. Open-mindedness and adaptability to new perspectives are crucial.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Training for Adaptability and Flexibility: Workshops, role-playing exercises, and continuous learning opportunities help develop adaptability and flexibility. These activities encourage stepping out of comfort zones and adapting to new situations.</li> </ul> Overcoming Barriers to Adaptability and Flexibility: Addressing resistance to change, managing fear and anxiety about the unknown, and building resilience and confidence are essential. Balancing adaptability and flexibility with resilience ensures effective adaptability without compromising core principles.

Learn, assess, and train your adaptability and flexibility soft skills today

There are a variety of resources and books, but the one that caught my eye was “<a class='no-underline text-accent' href="https://www.google.nl/books/edition/Agile_Resilience/nxBoEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=resilience&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">Agile Resilience By Tom Dillon</a>, 2022” But remember, when we talk about skills (not knowledge) we need to learn them by experience and always “practice makes them perfect.” So try WiseWorld.ai now, to assess and train your “flexibility and adaptability” and other soft skills