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Become a More Effective Leader By Improving Your Ability to Adapt

 Adaptability has quickly become a skill that no leader can afford to lack. We are required to be ready to adapt to government regulations, changes in demand, labour shortages, supply chain constraints and much more. While it’s a necessary skill, adaptability does not come naturally; we must carefully nourish and grow this ability.

We’ve put together some steps to help you improve your ability to adapt and be a more effective leader during times of change.

Embrace the “uncomfortable”

By stepping outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, embracing the “uncomfortable”, you will train your mind to know how to react to the unexpected. If you have trouble with this, start simple. Try to do one thing a day that makes you uncomfortable. This could be as simple as waving or saying hello to a stranger or sharing your opinion on a LinkedIn post.

Be a better listener & ask more questions

Highly adaptable people are constantly learning, listening, and engaging with others and information around them. To be more adaptable, you should always try to soak in the knowledge of your surroundings. The learning and knowledge that you gain along with the connections that you make can be applied when you are required to adapt and make decisions. 

Find the positive

Positivity is incredibly powerful. Focusing on the positive aspects of your life or your business can help you determine which aspects to focus upon and grow. If you have trouble focusing on the positives in your life and business, try writing down 1 or 2 things that you are thankful for at the beginning of each day. This will help you start building a more positive mindset.

Find balance in your life

Remember to focus on your well-being and creating a balance in your life. Define your adaptability guidelines. For instance, block certain hours where you are NOT available, clearly make note of events in your life that you are 100% committed to. This will help you remain focused on being adaptable when required.

Accept and expect failure

Be willing to make mistakes. Failure is inevitable; you cannot succeed 100% of the time, and it’s in failure that we achieve the most learning and growth. It’s important to also create a safe environment for your team members where they feel encouraged to learn, grow, and make mistakes. Ultimately, fear is the enemy of adaptability.