Adaptive Capacity
Today’s business landscape is more dynamic than ever, and teams are constantly having to evolve and adapt with it to stay competitive in a world driven by innovation. Teams must remain agile to adjust quickly to fluctuating priorities and market demands. Despite this shifting into a corporate norm, change is consistently met with resistance time and time again. Why?
Imagine trying to scale a mountain without preparing or bringing any of the necessary equipment. You wouldn’t. You’d be setting yourself up for failure. Instead, you would properly train and prepare, both mentally and physically, equipping yourself with the knowledge and resources to be successful. Now consider that change is your team’s mountain and in order to scale it effectively, they must not only be, but feel prepared, confident that their training has provided them the necessary tools and skills to face the mountain ahead.
Many teams struggle to embrace change, not for lack of desire or effort, but a lack of adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity refers to a team’s ability to respond to change quickly and efficiently by modifying their behavior. When individuals aren’t primed for change, they lack the necessary tools to navigate it, and change becomes a much larger, overwhelming, and intimidating mountain to scale.
Why Focus on Adaptive Capacity?
Whether faced with resistance, poor communication, or a lack of cohesion, the ability to respond to change is a critical factor that directly correlates to long-term success. A team cannot embody adaptiveness if the individuals that comprise the team lack the capacity to change. By understanding a team’s adaptive capacity, you’re able to foster a growth mindset, building the skills and confidence that contribute to the team’s overall ability to be resilient through change.
Teams with high adaptive capacity exhibit four key behaviors that distinguish them from teams with low adaptive capacity. These behaviors increase the teams’ flexibility, trust, and creativity, encouraging them to be more innovative and reach goals faster.
1. Continuous Learning: Team members prioritize and engage in ongoing learning and development to stay updated with new skills and knowledge.
2. Embracing Change: Team members adopt a positive attitude towards change, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than a threat.
3. Open Communication: Team members communicate openly and effectively about changes, ensuring everyone understands the reasons for adjustments and how they will be implemented.
4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: The team works together to identify potential challenges and develop solutions collaboratively, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise.
When individuals are primed – mentally and emotionally – for change, they are empowered to respond to and leverage it as a growth opportunity. Change no longer hinders forward momentum because individuals are equipped with the tools they need to confidently adapt and navigate it, trusting they will come out stronger on the other side.
Looking for support to increase your team’s adaptive capacity? Our Smart Growth Framework is designed to meet your team where they are, starting at the organization’s core to cultivate growth at every level. Reach out today to learn more.
Author: Megan Waitman
Operations and Sales
