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The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously stated that ‘change is the only constant in life.’ This sounds cliché now, but he was right. It used to be that the Boomers were considered the generation that had lived through the most change. They witnessed the space race, the evolution of room-size computers to laptops, the internet, the dawn of commercial aviation and the development of amazing medical advances that have us living longer lives.

But the rate of change Gen Z and Gen Alpha have lived through in their relatively short lives has a different focus. Technology. From the ubiquity of the internet, the development of social media, smart technology, and gaming to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, automation, 5G connectivity and green technologies. They are used to change, especially technological change, and are highly adaptable to it as it evolves.

However, adaptability is not a gift that always transfers easily to the world of work. While adaptability is the key to managing change, along with resilience, organizations struggle with developing these skills and making them part of their culture.

It starts with going back to Heraclitus and recognizing that change is the only constant. It’s a perpetual process, as in, it never goes away! Understanding this and embracing it is vital for businesses to keep up with technological change, client expectations, and volatile market demands. Seeing change as an opportunity and not a threat is an adjustment in mindset some call a Growth Mindset. It demands that people are adaptable as well as resilient.

Being adaptable allows you to approach change with an open mind, set to seize the opportunity a change may generate. In organizations, change is frequently introduced through projects, so understanding project management is crucial to effectively managing change. The provides some fundamental project management tools, as well as explaining how to choose the right approach for a project, and how to be agile. Being agile in turn requires adaptability.

Throughout the six core courses for this certificate, you will see subtly woven in, the requirement to be adaptable. Whether it is when collaborating with others, learning how to influence stakeholders or understanding the fundamentals of change management. Being adaptable can inspire others, especially if you are a leader. Your modelling of adaptability by being open, encouraging experimentation, and being supportive no matter what the outcome has impact. And there is nothing stronger than an adaptable and resilient team. 

According to LinkedIn, the top skill for 2024 is Adaptability. Especially now, being adaptable is essential for both personal and professional life. Combine adaptability with the capacity to be resilient when faced with barriers and you soon have a winning combination that will allow for fast adjustments when required, innovation, and that Growth Mindset that sees change as an opportunity.

Learn how to successfully manage change by taking our Certificate in Change Management and gaining one of the most in-demand skills in 2024.