This is the eleventh installment in our 25 week series exploring the 25 competencies, or soft skills, that our assessments measure. Each week we’ll give you the definition of that competency, explain its value, and give you tips to help you develop it. This week: Flexibility.
Flexibility is the ability to readily modify, respond and adapt to change with minimal resistance. It’s all about adaptability. Those who are flexible can roll with the punches. They aren’t scared of change, but instead embrace it. They’re not afraid to change something when they see it’s not working and respond well to changes in direction given from above as well.
Flexibility is easier for some than for others. For some, change is a necessity and they can feel stifled when things don’t change quickly enough. Many of us though, like things to stay the same, it keeps things predictable and stable. We cling to routines and habits because they provide security and comfort, but they can also hold us back.
Change is an everyday part of life and refusing to accept it and adapt can leave us stuck in the past, unable to keep up with the current market or business world. The key to Flexibility is understanding that change can be a good thing. It helps update out of date systems, it can make processes more efficient, it helps us serve customers better and it can help us reach our full potential. If you’re the type of person who is more change averse, one way to work on developing your Flexibility is to examine your real reasons for resisting change. The next time there is a change happening that you are uncomfortable with, create a list of all the reasons you aren’t open to that change. For each objection, find two positive counterpoints for why the change will be good. You can enlist the help of your peers or colleagues if necessary. Look for the benefits that this change will bring. How might it make your life easier? How might it make your company more successful? How will it help your customers? Find reasons to change instead of just clinging to what is known.
If you would like to learn more ways to improve your Flexibility skills, download our Flexibility Rx Suite here.
