How to Spot Adaptability in Others — and Boost It in Yourself: The Most Disruptive Trend of 2021

How to Spot Adaptability in Others — and Boost It in Yourself: The Most Disruptive Trend of 2021

In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, adaptability has become a crucial trait. It is the ability to react well to the inevitability of change and is a quality that can make someone indispensable and employable. According to venture investor and writer Natalie Fratto, adaptability is a characteristic that sets successful individuals apart. The good news is that adaptability is not fixed; it can be measured, tested, and improved upon.

When it comes to hiring or evaluating someone's adaptability, asking "what if" questions can be insightful. By asking candidates to come up with different scenarios and assess their vision for each situation, you can gauge their adaptability. It is interesting to judge how strong their vision is for hypothetical situations, as it shows their ability to think beyond the present.

Another question that can provide insights into someone's adaptability is asking them to share a time when they were wrong. This question reveals whether they are willing to change their minds and adapt. It is important to focus on their personal experience of being wrong, rather than when others perceived them as wrong. This distinction can shed light on their ability to learn from their mistakes and adjust their thinking.

However, adaptability is not just about learning; it is also about unlearning. Fratto suggests that unlearning can be achieved by taking a new perspective or shifting to another vantage point. It is about challenging one's existing knowledge and beliefs to make room for new ideas and perspectives. Additionally, the ability to layer on additional learnings and skills in areas where one is not an expert demonstrates adaptability. By exploring different fields and playing at the intersections, individuals can build a diverse skill set that can be valuable in a rapidly changing world.

To foster adaptability in yourself, it is important to proactively seek out new experiences and challenges. Fratto encourages individuals to embrace exploration and wander off the beaten path. However, adaptability should not be reactive; it should be exercised and flexed like a muscle. This means actively seeking out opportunities to play at the intersections and occasionally taking on a devil's advocate role at work. In the tech world, the motto "I like leaders who have strong opinions, weakly held" reflects the value of being open to different perspectives and being willing to adapt.

Lastly, keeping a failure resume or log can be a powerful tool for boosting adaptability. By acknowledging and documenting failures, individuals can learn from their mistakes and develop a growth mindset. It is important to view failures as opportunities for growth and adaptation, rather than as setbacks.

In conclusion, adaptability is a crucial trait in our rapidly changing world. It is a quality that can make individuals indispensable and employable. By asking insightful questions during interviews, such as "what if" scenarios and experiences of being wrong, you can spot adaptability in others. To boost adaptability in yourself, actively seek out new experiences, challenge your existing beliefs, and embrace exploration. Take on a devil's advocate role at work and maintain a failure resume to learn from mistakes. Adaptability is not fixed; it can be measured, tested, and improved upon. Embrace this trait, and you will thrive in the face of change.