Uncertainty is the New Normal: How to Become Agile in the Workplace
Before we get into the essentials of becoming adaptable, we need to know what being agile means. It’s not just simply living with change because you have to, but rather it’s adjusting your vision when things change. You need to rationalise your positive and negative thoughts to any change and then alter your behaviour accordingly.
True adaptability starts with rational thought and finishes with a deliberate action focused on a positive difference.
Change your thought process
Let’s face it: change can be scary, but rather than becoming paralysed with fear or refusing to step into the now, we need to look at it as an opportunity to grow as a person or company rather than viewing it as a chaotic black hole. Change can force us all into a period of growth and re-imagination that leads to better things, whether we see it at first or not.
Force yourself to take risks
Some of the very best things in life come from taking a risk. From a personal decision to move to a new country to business decisions of expanding or changing your vision or team, risks can be jam-packed full of rewards. Yes, you have a bigger chance of failure than if you just sat around and did nothing, but you’ll stay stuck in the same mediocre place forever without taking risks in life.
Encourage others to be open-minded
By encouraging your team to be open-minded, you will begin to eliminate the thought of “well, that’s how we’ve always done it”, giving your company the opportunity for growth. The business world is in constant flux, be that with new technology, new programs, or new desires from clients, and your company needs to be open to changing your ways to adapt. I would encourage you to keep some traditions alive, but with an ever-changing world, companies need to change with it, or they will become a story in the history books.
Embrace learning
Since the world is a constantly changing place, the best companies are the ones who are continually striving to learn. You may love learning new things all the time – but what if you don’t think you have the time? Well, try thinking of constant learning as though it was your laundry. Keeping up with the changes in your field will save you time in the long run and help it from being overwhelming when the pile gets just a little too high.
Agility is essential in today’s world and accepting that things will change and being prepared for that, will help your company in the long run. So be open to change, take risks, encourage your employees to be open-minded, and never stop learning.