These days it is all too easy to focus on digital tools, AI, and automation as the drivers of future success. But it’s adaptability – the uniquely human capacity to change, learn, and grow – that can make the real difference to success or failure in the world of work.
An adaptable workforce will enable your business to navigate uncertainty and unlock a competitive edge that technology alone can’t replicate. As such, building adaptability across teams should be a strategic priority for 2025.
Our recent Insights Live global events have become a focal point for exploring adaptability as a cornerstone of long-term success amid technological progress. From these discussions, we’ve outlined five key ways to help foster adaptability across organisations to give you that important human advantage.
1. Commit to a culture of continuous learning
The most adaptable organisations inspire employees at every level to embrace lifelong learning. They encourage workers to keep pace with current technological advances, foster a growth mindset and adapt to whatever comes next.
To shape this type of culture within your own business, start by encouraging your leaders to be role models. When senior executives actively engage in their own development and set the example, they motivate others to make learning an everyday practice.
Ultimately, by championing a culture of continuous learning, you will help build flexible, resilient teams ready to tackle new challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
Adaptable teams value the unique strengths of both introverts and extroverts.
2. Use 360° feedback as a catalyst for growth
360° feedback can be a game-changer for adaptability when done right. If you provide a constructive, supportive environment, this approach will enable employees to discover their strengths and growth areas. It will also give workers insight into how others truly perceive them – sometimes with surprising insights.
Development tools are invaluable here, offering a structured way to gain self-awareness and understand team dynamics. After all, the power of feedback lies in its potential to fuel motivation and align personal growth with team objectives.
To avoid pitfalls, make sure feedback is thoughtfully managed with professional tools rather than applied haphazardly. Done carelessly, feedback can backfire, discouraging rather than inspiring growth.
With the right approach, though, 360° feedback is a powerful driver of adaptability and development across the organisation.
3. Get curious about blindspots
Adaptability often requires exploring what’s holding you back and uncovering areas of strength you don’t see at first glance.
To remove growth barriers and unlock untapped potential, encourage your employees to identify and address their own blindspots. For example, are there particular skills or mindsets that might limit their adaptability? Are there strengths they are holding back on which could really benefit them and the whole organisation?
By guiding employees to ask these questions, you can uncover hidden growth opportunities and foster a culture of self-awareness.
With technology taking over repetitive tasks, humans have the opportunity to shine in ways that only people can.
4. Lean into discomfort for lasting growth
Building adaptability often begins at the edge of our comfort zones, where challenges push us to stretch in new and unexpected ways.
Empower your employees to lead through discomfort, explore unfamiliar projects or tackle new roles.
Encourage them to tap into preferences that aren’t their go-to. For instance, a team member leading with what we would call "Cool Blue" energy might prefer making decisions based on thorough data analysis. But in fast-paced situations, they may need to draw on what we call their "Fiery Red" energy to make confident calls quickly, engaging other people, even if it feels uncomfortable.
When employees step into these spaces, they expand their skill sets, develop a growth mindset, and build confidence in their ability to adapt. By supporting your teams as they lean into discomfort, you will ultimately prepare them for future challenges, making resilience and adaptability second nature.
5. Embrace the strengths of both introversion and Extroversion
Adaptable teams value the unique strengths of both introverts and extroverts. Extroverted energies are often dynamic, pushing boundaries and rallying others around new ideas.
But these qualities shine brightly when balanced with the depth and thoughtfulness that more introverted energies – like "Earth Green" and "Cool Blue" – bring to the table. These include careful listening, insight, and a steady focus on the long term.
Create an environment that celebrates this diversity to help reduce bias and draw from a fuller range of perspectives. Doing so will not only create a more balanced, innovative team but also build a resilient workforce ready to tackle challenges from all angles.
When you embrace both introversion and extroversion, your teams will feel equipped with the range of skills needed to thrive in a complex world.
Looking ahead: Adaptability as a strategic edge
In 2025, adaptability will be a crucial advantage. With technology taking over repetitive tasks, humans have the opportunity to shine in ways that only people can: through creativity, critical thinking, and innovation.
By fostering an environment where adaptability flourishes, companies empower their teams to navigate change confidently and harness their full potential.
