North Star

On adaptability

North Star:
On adaptability

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

Charles Darwin

Adaptability is a key power in a world where change is a constant. Those that survive, in nature as well as at an individual or an organisational level, must learn to be adaptable in the face of relentless change. Fight or die in the wild; adapt or become obsolete in the marketplace.

The pandemic thrust us all into an accelerated pace of change. Digital transformations took weeks instead of years, and ‘work’ expanded beyond office and physical lines. We learned a new term as we practised it – the art of the pivot saw us abruptly about-facing, heading off into entirely new directions, at pace, to meet new and different needs. But the art of being adaptable is a step further even than that, requiring more than submission to a hasty rewrite. Adaptability is the embrace of change, the ability to rapidly learn new skills and behaviours in response to evolving circumstances, willingly and determinedly.

In practice, adaptability is a mindset. It is flexible, innovative, open, and resilient, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. It is ad-hoc, involving rapid adjustments in response to changing situations. Adaptable individuals and organisations are those that can shift strategy quickly and effectively, finding alternative solutions that have not been anticipated in advance. It is taking the learnings from failure, near-misses, or far-from-perfect outcomes, and applying them so that you can be better the next time.

It forces open siloes and extends horizontally, seeking innovators and experts from unexpected corners. It begins with small changes and results in fundamental overhaul. How do we embed this super skill of adaptability into our organisations, our relationships with clients, and ourselves? How can we continue to evolve for better when it feels like simply staying afloat is a mammoth task?

Organisational adaptability:
Consider your business strategy, and vision: is it still relevant? Does your corporate structure offer the best opportunity for value creation and cost optimisation? Be willing to adapt to changing environments by making adjustments to suit transitions in the workplace. Is the right team in play? Constantly be on the lookout for new talent. Practice adaptability every day in ‘low stake’ situations to get your organisational mindset shifting just a little, all the time. Use shifts in the professional landscape to enhance your organisation’s trajectory. Rethink your messaging: change is not an obstacle but an opportunity for growth. Encourage an environment in which your people are emboldened to share their true opinions, be creative and make mistakes. Promote a culture of learning and share widely.

Encourage an environment in which your people are emboldened to share their true opinions, be creative and make mistakes.

Client adaptability:
Be people-centric and focus on solutions rather than problems. Reframe your thinking from why something cannot be done to the different ways or circumstances in which it can be done. Adaptability leads to faster decision-making which will delight your clients. Make your planning processes lighter, more frequent, and aim to turn episodic processes into continual ones. Be versatile and empathetic and listen to your client rather than hearing what it is you would rather hear. Be prepared to collaborate with clients, and sometimes your competitors, and be open to learning from them too.

Individual adaptability:
Be willing to learn new things and take on new challenges. Set goals for yourself and seek diverse opinions. Understand that with changing circumstances you might not be an expert anymore, so seek out those who might add something or who might even know better. What can you learn from those outside your cohort, your rank, team, industry, and sector? Challenge your perspective and your confirmation bias, as this restricts a clear view.

Stretch beyond your comfort zone. Build emotional intelligence and agility. Be resilient. Reflect on your work and be confident but open to criticism and feedback.

Until next time.

Editorial team

Ali Blackwell-Cook
Head of Strategy and Market Engagement, KPMG Law
ali.blackwell-cook@kpmg.co.uk

Jodi Bartle
Content Manager, KPMG Law

Amanda Parker-Small
Operations Assistant Manager, KPMG Law

Design & production by CREATE Graphics

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