Work Like a Human: How to be More Adaptable
6 minute read
Whatever our line of work, we can be forgiven for feeling a little anxious about the future. Each week seems to bring a new technological breakthrough that promises to transform entire industries overnight. As automation advances, it can feel almost impossible to predict what our jobs will look like in ten, five or even two years. But one thing is certain: as routine tasks are increasingly farmed out to bots and machines, our uniquely human traits – like empathy, vulnerability, emotional intelligence and social awareness – will become even more valuable.
The ability to support a colleague in a crisis; to inspire a team to go above and beyond the line of duty; to fully inhabit the mindset of consumers: these are the skills that will be most in demand. As we approach the 2030s, our humanity will be our greatest asset. In the age of automation, we have to remember what it means to be human at work.
In the first of this four-part series from The School of Life at Work, we explore adaptability. What does it mean to adapt well, and how can we cultivate this essential skill?
This article first appeared in Issue 05 of The Beautiful Truth. Get your copy here.
The psychology of adaptability: why we find it easy – and hard
Adaptation is necessary for one simple reason: our world never stops changing. A highly variable climate, a fragile ecosystem and the constant churn of new diseases and natural disasters all reinforce a basic truth: adapt or die.
We’re familiar with adaptation in the context of evolution. Through natural selection, species with traits suited to their environment thrive while others fall away. Here, adaptation is essentially passive, shaped largely by circumstance.
Humans, however, are the exception. For us, adaptation is an active, conscious process. Our complex brains – capable of abstract thought and social learning – enable us to devise novel solutions to the challenges we face. Increasingly, evolutionary biologists believe adaptability may be the defining trait of humans.
What we call ‘human history’ is really a record of perpetual adaptation – the birth of agriculture, the Industrial Revolution and the advent of medicine, flight and computing. While technologies come and go, humankind endures.
As we face an uncertain future, it is our adaptability – our ability to evolve alongside technology while retaining our human qualities – that will secure our place in the world to come.
“As we face an uncertain future, it is our adaptability – our ability to evolve alongside technology while retaining our human qualities – that will secure our place in the world to come.”
Embracing ambiguity
Human adaptability is, at its core, an emotional skill defined by our ability to tolerate ambiguity.
Consider two common responses to change: resistance (seeing change as a threat) and submission (embracing change as an unalloyed good). Both responses pose risks. Resistance can leave us outpaced by competitors, while submission may push us to embrace disruptions before we’re ready.
This brings us to a fundamental fact: change is inherently ambivalent. No new phenomenon – be it a disruptive technology or emerging platform – is ever wholly positive or negative; it is always a mixture.
Never Miss A Story
Psychoanalyst Melanie Klein explored this difficulty with ambiguity, noting how infants struggle to reconcile that the same parent who brings joy can also bring pain. To cope, we ‘split’ them in two: the ‘good’ parent and the ‘bad’. But as we grow, this split heals, and we learn to tolerate ambiguity: that things and people can embody both positive and negative qualities at once.
This tolerance of ambiguity lies at the heart of adaptability. To effectively navigate change, we must balance optimism with realism, understanding that change is multifaceted and requires a measured response.
“No new phenomenon – be it a disruptive technology or emerging platform – is ever wholly positive or negative.”
When confronted with change, ask yourself:
- What potential benefits could this change bring? How might it improve my work, my team or my personal growth?
- What challenges might arise? Are there any downsides, and how can I address them?
- Is this change urgent, or do I have time to adjust gradually?
By approaching change with this mindset, you can balance optimism with realism, focusing on how best to integrate new ideas without discarding what works.
Characteristics of an adaptable mindset
An adaptable mindset is flexible but grounded, always balancing openness to change with a commitment to continuity. Here are some traits of genuinely adaptable individuals:
- Optimistic but cautious. Adaptable people are optimistic about change but mindful of its potential challenges. They welcome new technologies and ideas but carefully assess how they will work in practice.
- Open to input. They seek out diverse perspectives, recognising that adaptability is a collective process. By asking for feedback and involving others in decisions, they ensure that change benefits everyone.
- Balanced in judgment. Rather than rushing to embrace the latest trends or clinging to past practices, adaptable people synthesise old and new ideas, creating approaches that leverage both experience and innovation.
Practical steps for building adaptability
The psychology of adaptability explains our responses to change – but how do we make adaptability part of our daily routine? Here are tangible steps you can start applying today:
- Engage in small experiments. Test out minor changes in your routine to build comfort with the unknown. Try working from a different space, using a new tool or experimenting with different goals and timelines. These small shifts help you practise flexibility in a low-stakes way.
- Reflect on your emotional response to change. Pay attention to your initial responses when something changes at work. Are you feeling anxious or enthusiastic? An adaptable person acknowledges these feelings and assesses what’s driving them. Reflection builds self-awareness and helps you identify areas where you can grow.
- Seek opportunities for growth. Approach new projects or initiatives with curiosity. Even if a change feels disruptive, ask yourself: “How can this experience help me grow or make me stronger?”
- Practise perspective-taking. Whenever you face a change, consider how others might view it. This could include your team, clients or industry partners. By broadening your perspective, you gain insight into potential benefits and risks that might not be immediately apparent.
- Balance endings and new beginnings. Adaptable people recognise that change often involves a process of letting go and starting afresh. Identify areas in your work where you feel a sense of closure, those that feel chaotic or unfinished, and any that feel like promising beginnings. Approaching change as a cycle of transitions helps keep you oriented.
Adaptability isn’t about embracing every new trend but developing the capacity to navigate change with intention, balance and confidence. By understanding the psychology of adaptability and taking steps to practise it daily, we’re equipping ourselves to thrive in an uncertain world.
In the next instalment, we’ll look at vulnerability and how admitting to weaknesses can be an invaluable asset at work.
