Adaptability

Adaptability is the capacity and willingness to adjust our expectations and behaviors in the face of a change in our situation or environment. While part of adaptability is practical—having a broad base of knowledge and skills that can be applied in the face of the unexpected—perhaps the more important parts are emotional and psychological. The ability to let go of our preconceived expectations, assumptions, and plans and accept the new reality of a situation takes emotional awareness and flexibility, and the willingness to engage different mental frameworks for understanding or approaching a challenge takes humility and curiosity. All of these are skills that can be developed and practiced throughout our lives, allowing us to maximize our chances of success in all sorts of personal, social, and work situations.