E22/S2 ASTUTE ADAPTOR - Why it pays to go with the flow

Andrew introduces the story of Deepak, a customer adviser, who is asked to move to the HR team to deal with the trade unions.  Andrew explains adaptability as taking on new roles and responsibilities and adjusting work to reflect changing priorities.  To be an astute adapter means staying calm and responding quickly to unexpected situations.  Andrew further elaborates on how AQ (Adaptability Quotient) is now an essential ingredient for success at work. To show adaptability, it is crucial to highlight disrupters, check assumptions, make plans, assess threats, and speed up how you work.

Andrew explains that showing adaptability also means accepting alternative ideas, unexpected changes, and urgent strategic requests. The second question Andrew addresses is about examples of adaptability skills. Andrew lists several learnable skills, such as clarity of purpose, resilience, active listening, and asking questions.

Andrew further suggests that people must constantly seek to upskill themselves by exploring the world more intensely, asking what-if questions, and looking for ways to unlearn what they already know.  Andrew advises taking a step back when change is in the air and ensuring several options are discussed to promote brain and day-to-day flexibility.

In summary, Andrew emphasises that it is essential to be an astute adapter and adapt to change, and the speaker outlines the importance of AQ in today's rapidly changing workplace. One can show adaptability at work by highlighting disrupters, checking assumptions, making plans, assessing threats, and speeding up how you work.

 

Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version. Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at

www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading

and

www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch. BOOK: The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.

www.myhappinessatwork.com/book