ADAPTING TO CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” — Charles Darwin.

Change in the workplace can cause discomfort as it disrupts already established patterns.  It is too easy for employees to stay accustomed to maintained habits, thereby making adaptation difficult. However, change is essential to many aspects of business and work life. And an organization that devises ways in which employees and leaders can efficiently adapt to change will always lead.

In today’s world of work, everything is evolving rapidly. And by that we mean, the environment, processes, strategies, tools, and even people. New technology and disruptions now determine workflow and delivery, trends are forcing employers to embrace new marketing approaches, covid-19 has the majority of the workforce operating remotely, and mergers have become the order of the day. Organizations are now on the lookout for employees who, regardless of their abilities, are committed to developing and nurturing skills that can positively deal with workplace changes. Truly, adjusting to change isn’t something everyone can pull off easily. In fact, the population of people that accept change negatively outnumbers those that can cope with it. Humans differ in nature as such a change can trigger several emotional reactions. These reactions can range from a slight discomfort or shock to anxiety and fear. Those that can cope with a transition are most likely to secure the job. Now, we are not insinuating that coping with any form of change equates possessing speed, strength, or intelligence, but rather the ability to adapt to a new work environment. To mitigate the tension that accompanies change requires workplaces to understand that adapting to change takes time and patience. Workplaces must embrace it to navigate newer ways of working.  It is the ability to cope with change that helps reduce pressure and increase productivity. As for employees, the most adaptable and receptive to change are the ones that succeed. 

What is adaptability to change?

 Before elucidating methods of navigating the workplace in adaptability, we should ask ourselves what it means to adapt to change. What is adapting to change? It is the ability to quickly and successfully adopt changes and respond effectively. It is about managing the change such that it encourages continuous success in the workplace and your career rather than avoiding and be afraid of it. Adaptability is a soft skill that requires that we build our abilities to quickly pick up new skills and behaviours to better respond to changing situations. It is now a skill that employers seek when hiring. They sometimes include it in job descriptions because they know how much it will help grow a sustainable workplace. What is employee adaptability? Employee adaptability defines how employees can effectively alter their behaviors or responses to a working environment. If you as an employee can adapt well to changes, then it guarantees long-term career success as it is now a core skill set one must have. 

Why is adapting to change in the workplace important?

For several reasons, adapting to any form of change in the workplace is a quality that will set you apart from others. For one, you become more valuable to your employers and more productive in general. It is critical to your personal growth. Imagine spending most of your time complaining about a new work process rather than focusing on it. You are stressed out thinking of ways to escape rather than navigate. It wouldn’t do you any good because now your focus will shift, in turn, offering you limited time to complete a task. Those who are adaptable will naturally come off as resourceful; it shows you can withstand any challenge, are determined, analytical, and resilient. These categories of employees unconsciously are building leadership skills that may in the future land them prominent roles. And again, when you accept the uncertainty of the future, you set yourself up for preparation. It is safe to say that all of these qualities combined will help you survive any form of transition regardless of its complexity. As for leaders, it is inevitable. As your career advances, the more intricate it can become as such, a resilient behavior to take charge, be consistent, empower, delegate, communicate, and ensuring that you follow your subordinates throughout the development is highly required. You cannot afford to be nonchalant. Therefore, you must ensure that your team adapts successfully to the situation. Those who stay ahead of the competition are those who can communicate and enhance adaptation amongst their workforce. The crux of the matter; learn to be adaptable. Build a mindset that can help you remain stable with whatever change is communicated and implemented.