Adaptability is the ability to change or be changed to fit changed circumstances. The ability to be flexible and agile, and to respond effectively to new challenges. Therefore, it is the most important skill you need to have and use to successfully thrive in your workplace and personal life. Why? As Charles Darwin wrote:

To stay competitive, businesses today must change and conform to the latest standards on a nearly real-time basis. This calls for increased focus on developing and establishing the traits of flexibility and adaptability into all levels of the workforce hierarchy. Resistance to change is not a solution. An adaptable mindset is your best tool.

How to be adaptable:

• Use mental rehearsal: To think about different ways you could engage. Picture the response. Try to see yourself acting in opposing ways to get to the same outcome. Identify which approach will likely yield the best outcome.
• Practice holding back your first response long enough: To think of a second and third solution. Rather than reacting, adapt and thoughtfully respond to the situation instead. Stay in control.
• Listen more: When you listen, you are suspending judgment. You are taking in information that will allow you to select the best response to the situation. Use that information to adapt your behavior as needed.
• Get out of your comfort zone: Put yourself into very different situations than those you typically encounter. Operating in a variety of situations and roles will help you become more flexible and adaptable.
• Get feedback: People who reflect on their performance are more likely to be flexible in adapting to changes in their environment and therefore better able to identify alternative ways of behaving to be more effective in given situations.
• Laugh at yourself: Having a sense of humor about yourself only serves to humanize you. When you fail, reflect on what went wrong, adjust course, and don't repeat the same mistake. Learning and improving your adaptability along the way is the goal, not perfection.
• Get comfortable walking someone else's talk: Having to support someone else's program or idea when you don't really think that way or agree is a common paradox. Don't let others know that you are not fully on board. Your role is to manage their vision and mission, not your personal one. If you have strong contrary views, be sure to demand a voice next time around.