Word-Of-the-Week #890: Adaptable
August 26, 2021 by Susan Clarke
Adaptable – able to adjust readily to different conditions.
How often and how fast do you see company changes? Do you respond to new circumstances and challenges with excitement or hesitation? How flexible are you when it comes to implementing changes?
This is Part 3 of the Baltimore Sun article by Jeff Haden Inc. Magazine “Path to Promotion: What one co-founder looks for when promoting employees.”
“One of the most common questions that ambitious employees ask their boss — along with “Can I get a raise?” — is “What can I do to get promoted?”
- Be self-aware, not selfish.
Self-aware people understand themselves and that helps them understand the people around them. They are more empathetic and accepting of the weaknesses of others because they know how it feels to fail.
They can lead with compassion and kindness because they know how it feels to be treated with disregard, disdain and scorn. They do everything they can to help others reach their goals, because they know how it feels to fall short.
Self-aware people solve for the team, the organization and the customer — not just for themselves. Every organization needs self-aware people in key roles. (What is a key role? Every role.)
- Be adaptable, not rigid.
Things constantly change in high-growth companies. Inflexible people grow uncomfortable with too much change and consciously or unconsciously try to slow things down.
Best practices are important. Methodology is important. Guidelines, procedures and policies all can help a business run smoothly.
But anyone can follow guidelines and procedures. Great employees are willing, even eager, to change. Great employees respond to new circumstances and challenges with excitement, not hesitation. Employees willing to adapt tend to advance more quickly because that is what every company needs.
- Be a teacher, not a truant officer.
The best people like to teach. They don’t hoard knowledge; they spread it and share what they know.
A truant officer’s job is to make sure people show up. A teacher’s job is to make sure people learn. A teacher helps other people gain experience, wisdom and insight. A teacher willingly and happily gives other people tools they can use.
In the process, a teacher builds teams. And a teacher advances, because a true team builder is a rare gem.”
This week’s focus is on being adaptable. How good are you in supporting your co-workers during times of change? How would you rate yourself on compassion and kindness for others? How willing are you to share information and be of help to the team?
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