Adaptability Quotient: Why It Matters?
Adaptability is defined by the American Psychological
Association (APA) as "the ability to respond appropriately
to modified or changing settings; the ability to modify or adjust one's
behavior in encountering different circumstances or other persons" This
term has been expanded to encompass not only cognitive and behavioral
modulation, but also emotional control in the face of change, novelty,
variability, and uncertainty. This is known as the 'tripartite' adaptability
standpoint
How is it formed?
Adaptation, according to Swiss Jean Piaget's theory, is one
of the key processes governing cognitive growth. The adaptation process
comprises two stages: assimilation and accommodation.
People assimilate the outside world's information by
converting it to fit their own thoughts and concepts. Sometimes new knowledge
can be easily integrated into existing knowledge.
Consider this to be a mental database. When information
falls into one of the database's predefined categories, it can be rapidly and
simply digested.
This procedure, however, does not always function perfectly,
especially during initial development. Here's a good example: Consider a tiny
toddler seeing a dog for the very first time. If the child already understands
a cat, they may mistake the dog for one: It fits into their preexisting cat
schema because they are both small, hairy, and have four limbs. Such errors are
corrected by the following adaptation process, accommodation.
Essential Characteristics and Skills of
Employees with a high AQ:
- Compassionate
- Problem solver
- Curious
- Creative
- Innovative
- Mindful
- Respectful
- Life-long learner
- Continuously working
for improving processes
- Willing to make and
accept mistakes
- Unafraid of the known and unknown
- Considerate about the
future
- Environmentally-conscious
Accommodation for Adaptation
People process new knowledge by modifying their cognitive
structures to accommodate the new knowledge. When people come across knowledge
that is wholly new to them or that challenges their pre-existing beliefs, they
frequently have to create a new schema to incorporate the material or change
their pre-existing mental categories
This is analogous to attempting to enter information into a
database only to discover that there is no pre-existing categorization that
will fit the information. To include it within the database, you must either
create a new field or modify an existing one.
Not surprisingly, the process of accommodation is far more
difficult than that of assimilation. People are usually hesitant to modifying
their schemas, especially when it means modifying a sincerely held belief.
The toddler in the above example who originally mistook
a dog for a cat may learn to discover significant distinctions between the two
animals. The first barks, while the second meows. One enjoys playing, while the
other prefers to sleep all day. After some time, the youngster will integrate
the new information by developing a new schema for dogs while simultaneously
modifying their previous schema for cats.
Impact of AQ
You can't directly plan for the unknown, although you can
prep for it. Building the abilities necessary to adjust in the face of change
and anticipating potential future outcomes can assist you in preparing for
whatever comes your way.
Most businesses did not anticipate a pandemic sweeping the
world in 2020, and almost as many were preparing. Businesses needed quick
decisions, diversified solutions, and unlearning to survive. Companies that
previously did not believe remote work was practicable needed a new approach
and a fresh perspective on what was and was not achievable.
Businesses that actively prioritized problem-solving,
adaptability, creativity and the use of new technologies were most prepared for
an extraordinary year of change.
Every day, we are confronted with change. Those who can adapt can better adapt to the future, no matter how unknown.
Benefits of
Adaptability Quotient for Organizations and Employees
AQ benefits for businesses:
- Helps in making
necessary changes
in the business processes as needed.
- Leveraging advancement
of technology.
- Learning from
failures.
- Preparation for
multiple possible outcomes.
- Prioritizing
sustainable business practices.
- Handling any
unexpected crisis.
- Surviving in the era
of an economic recession.
Adaptability benefits for individuals:
- Solving complex
problems effectively.
- Accepting and managing
organizational and individual change.
- How to be flexible,
innovative, creative, and accommodating of others.
- Learning and adopting
emerging technologies.
- Staying relevant, and updated
in a career as technology advances.
- Accepting transition of job
specification, job roles or careers with ease.
- Maintaining employment
or change in an era of economic recession.
How to increase your AQ?
- Accept and welcome change.
Regardless
of whether you prefer it or not, change is inevitable. Change cannot be
avoided, but it may be learned to accept and embrace. Simple alterations in the
company, including technological improvements or changes in management or
employees, can put some individuals into a tailspin. You can fight it and deny
the shift, or you can grow progressively disengaged because things aren't the
same as they were. These stages are normal, but you must progress through the
transition curve to reach acceptance. Embrace change and explore the good in
it. Accept change and seek benefits in your new circumstances. How may an
impending change be turned into an opportunity? What can you take away from the
shift? What issues must be resolved before moving forward with confidence?
- Examine your assumptions.
What used
to be true will not always remain true. Everything in life changes, and simply
because you believed you understood the best way to do something doesn't mean
it will always be the greatest way. Different options and changing conditions
may necessitate a new answer. People that are adaptable are always evaluating
their preconceptions and are ready to adopt a new approach at any time. Ask
questions and evaluate your procedures on a regular basis. Is there an alternative?
What didn't you think of before? Requesting constructive criticism from others
might provide you with new ideas on how you can develop.
- Offering Innovation and Flexibility at Workplace Counseling or EAP.
Any rigid
business enterprise is setting itself up for disaster and failure. It’s a fact
that anything if not bent, it breaks. Promoting innovation and flexibility as
an employer or manager help in better adaptation in the event of disaster or
crisis. It creates an opportunity for employees to work in the best ways, and
it helps better engagement, motivation, productivity, and well-being. •
Encouraging Employs to Learn from Mistakes Making mistakes is never the goal,
however, it’s a learning opportunity. Nurture a work culture that supports
failure as a learning opportunity, it fosters creativity, adopting innovation,
or trying new means of working.
- Promoting
Continuous Performance Feedback through Workplace Counseling.
The benefits of workplace counseling to business are many. Workplace
counseling aims at providing positive feedback and
fostering positive behavior modification. Managers should also be given
training and required counseling skills to give positive feedback to employees,
as sporadic and random feedback often becomes something to be feared. Business
managers must learn counseling skills to
prioritize constructive feedback and foster an environment of continuous
improvement.
If you are searching for “Counsellor near me” connect with TalktoAngel India’s no.1 Online Counselling platform.
Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri &
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