Build the skills to navigate change with confidence. Here are a few strategies to help you respond quickly, think flexibly, and lead effectively in today’s evolving work environment.
In today’s rapidly changing work environment, adaptability and agility have become core capabilities for leaders and employees at every level. Adaptability refers to an individual’s ability to adjust thoughts, behaviors, and actions in response to new conditions. Agility expands this by emphasizing the capacity to anticipate change, pivot quickly, and take effective action in uncertain or complex situations.
Organizations that cultivate adaptability and agility benefit from improved problem-solving, stronger collaboration, and greater resilience during transitions. Research shows that adaptable employees demonstrate higher levels of learning engagement and performance, especially during periods of change (Pulakos et al., 2000). Similarly, agile teams are more innovative and better positioned to respond to evolving customer and organizational needs (Rigby, Sutherland & Takeuchi, 2016).
eveloping these skills requires a combination of self-awareness, a growth mindset, and ongoing practice. Leaders play a key role by encouraging experimentation, modeling flexibility, and creating environments where teams can learn, adjust, and move forward with confidence.
Resources to Learn More
- External Article: Adaptability in the workplace: Development of a taxonomy of adaptive performance
- Embracing Agile: How to master the process that’s transforming management (Harvard Business Review)
- Video: The Power of Believing You Can Improve with Carol Dweck (TED Talk)
- Tools & Activities:
Written by Amber Anderson Grant, OD Specialist
