How can individuals learn to be more Adaptable?

  • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Author:  Joni Peddie

Short Description

Without exaggerating, there are literally hundreds of ways of becoming more self- aware, and hence be more Adaptable to embrace and think through opportunities and / or adversity. As a Preferred Partner in South Africa for the Six Seconds EQ Worldwide Network (in 174 countries), we talk about ‘emotions driving people, and people driving performance’. […]

Without exaggerating, there are literally hundreds of ways of becoming more self- aware, and hence be more Adaptable to embrace and think through opportunities and / or adversity.

As a Preferred Partner in South Africa for the Six Seconds EQ Worldwide Network (in 174 countries), we talk about ‘emotions driving people, and people driving performance’. As Leaders we need to act with purpose and forethought, and one of the enablers for this is ‘pausing’ to look ahead, before you jump in. Applying consequential thinking (ACT) is one of the eight competencies in the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence.

ACT takes into account that we can use our emotions and our rational thinking to help us pause, evaluate our choices, and the in-turn ensure that we are more ‘adaptable’ for that set of circumstances. Perhaps you need to ask yourself a few questions: ‘What else do I need to take into account?’ ; ‘What / who will give me perspective?’ ; ‘What are the implications for myself / others, in both the short- term and the long-term?’

All 8 EQ competencies are all learnable competencies. ACT, is one that I have focused on developing. I run a busy life (like most people) and a business that delivers workshops and programmes for Clients in different time zones. Everything I do aligns with my personal purpose statement – ‘To inspire actionable resilience, for people to live their best, and most optimal life’. I often need to ‘make choices’ and weigh up the Pros and Cons. To ensure that I have time to ask myself the right provocative questions – I need to push the ‘pause button’. This ensures that I can be intentional and responsive, as opposed to reactive and impulsive.

Here are three practical ways to ‘push your own pause button’, so that you can strengthen your AQ. Your ‘Adaptability Quotient’..

When I am emotionally triggered, and worrying that my rational thinking will go out the window, I know that I need to ‘do something’. As a result, I stand-up and get away from my desk. I go and bounce (for about two minutes) vigorously on my mini-trampoline, which is five meters from my desk, on my veranda. If I am in a meeting room / board room, I will fabricate a ‘bathroom break’. When in the bathroom, I do fifty deep squats (in the cubicle if others are around). I try and focus on the counting, so that I give my ‘brain-a-breather’ and keep counting under my breath until I get to fifty! ‘Motion shifts Emotion’. This buys me time to ACT, and to think through my choices. I want to think through how I potentially want to respond, when I get back to the board room.

How can individuals learn to be more Adaptable?

If I am working on a project, or trying to re-prioritise my day – I’ll use Dr Caroline Leaf’s breathing technique which is beautifully simple and incredibly practical.
I will get up from my desk and walk to the kitchen to get something to drink, or a healthy snack. As I walk, I breathe-in (through my nose) to the count of three and mentally ask myself – “What do I feel?” and “What do I think?”.

I then breathe-out (through my mouth) to the count of seven and ask myself (mentally) – “What do I choose?”. I’ll do this breathing / mental-clearing technique about three times.

Answers and ‘pearls of wisdom’ don’t immediately spring to mind. However, this is what I call the ‘windscreen wiper’ for my brain. I return to my desk and look at the project / task at hand, and it feels like the burst of oxygen to my brain has given me ‘fresh eyes’ (like a clean windscreen) and a new perspective for ‘consequential thinking’. In other words a long-range view of potential ‘consequences’. This greatly enhances ‘choice’ and adaptability.

None of these are rocket science.None of them cost a cent. So remind yourself that there is a vast difference between ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. Challenge yourself to do one of them TODAY, and boost your ‘adaptability quotient’.

Dr Caroline Leaf is a neuro-scientist specialising in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology. Her latest book (released on 2 March 2021) is a must-read: “Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress & Toxic Thinking”

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Facebook

Author Profile

Read further articles in similar categories

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to How can individuals learn to be more Adaptable?

WS Logo 512

As Covid has made it’s away around the globe it’s brought steep challenges and tremendous loss with it as It Is What It Is from Niki Seberini. Having said that, we must also acknowledge it’s gifted us with lessons in resilience, unconventional connections and a need to recalibrate both our internal and external compass. We […]

  • Author: Niki Seberini
David Goggins

In his new book, “Can’t Hurt Me,” David Goggins, who many call the “toughest man alive,” recalls how he overcame a difficult childhood to become a Navy SEAL.   He sits down with Craig Melvin to discuss the lessons he learned about the body’s capabilities.   READ FULL ARTICLE Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and […]

  • Author: David Goggins
Kgadi Mmanakana

One morning when I was on my way to school, my life changed for the better with The Power of a Vision. I was 14 years old and an eighth grader at the time, and my school was on the other side of Matlala River in Limpopo. It was quite a long walk through the […]

  • Author: Kgadi Mmanakana
Joshua M Evans

What do you do if you hate your job? You have three options: you can stay and suffer, you can look for a new job, or you can change the way you view your work. The best choice is to focus on yourself and what makes you happy. This way, even if you’re still at […]

  • Author: Joshua M Evans
FORGET COVID - Howard Saunders

THE RISE OF THE MINI TYRANTS, we all know the type. Dress a man in a hi-vis vest, armed with a clipboard and a biro, and you’ve just built yourself a mini tyrant. You’ve licensed a tiny authoritarian to impose the rules verbatim, as he sees fit, no matter the context or circumstances. It’s worrying […]

  • Author: Howard Saunders
WS Logo 512

Why is a 216-year-old voluntary member-based organisation like the Cape Chamber of Commerce thriving under lockdown? It shouldn’t – when times get tough, members will look at their expenses and cut those that are ‘voluntary’. People tend to pay their utilities, because if you don’t pay, you don’t get to play. And heaven forbid we […]

  • Author: Sid Peimer
WeSpeak Global logo

Businesses adopting a Working Remote workforce is a trend that has gained an increase of momentum this past year and for some, will continue to be reality for the foreseeable future. There are of course the obvious benefits for a remote team – no commutes for employees and lower overhead costs such as an office […]

  • Author: WeSpeak Global
WS Logo 512

In the traditional sales world, Engaging and Interactive Meeting, a professional salesperson would prepare for, and focus on, commanding the room, the conversation and the sales process, and you would be prepared to maximise the chances of success at whichever stage of the sale you are because that’s how you win deals for an Interactive […]

  • Author: Shelley Walters

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME