Change is an inevitable part of life and business. It is constant in some way shape or form. And more and more one of the most valuable capabilities an individual can have is their ability to adapt to constant change.
Everyone adapts and responds to change differently – in different ways, at a different pace and for different motivations. For those that adapt to change well, they are typically less reliant on what we call “change markers”. These individuals have essentially built strong muscle memory around responding and reacting to change such that their change actions occur almost automatically with little anxiety or stress.
However, there are many others that benefit from gentle reminders on how well they have adapted to change in the past to give them the confidence and reassurance of being able to cope once again with another change. As a leader, knowing when and how to remind people of their change markers – how they have successfully responded to change previously, can be the trigger people need to step forward and embrace the new change.
Regardless of whether people think they can adapt to change or not the reality is everyone can adapt to change. All you need to do is look for the markers. Moving from childhood to adolescence is a significant change we all move through. Moving house or changing job is another change we adapt to. Moving in and out of relationships requires change. Traveling to a different country for business or pleasure requires change in some way. Even a simple roadblock on your usual pathway to work requires you to adapt and change approach. We change and adapt more often than what we think and reminding people of how much change they actually deal with, somewhat unconsciously or automatically, helps to reinforce they are capable of change and starts to build a recognition that change is a natural and constant part of life.
