How can you build an adaptable team in the workplace?
Learn from the community’s knowledge. Experts are adding insights into this AI-powered collaborative article, and you could too.
This is a new type of article that we started with the help of AI, and experts are taking it forward by sharing their thoughts directly into each section.
If you’d like to contribute, request an invite by liking or reacting to this article. Learn more
— The LinkedIn Team
Adaptability is a crucial skill for teams in the modern workplace, where change is constant and unpredictable. Whether it's a new technology, a market shift, or a global crisis, teams need to be able to respond quickly and effectively to changing situations. But how can you build an adaptable team in the workplace? Here are some tips to help you foster a culture of flexibility, learning, and resilience among your team members.
One of the best ways to build an adaptable team is to encourage feedback, both from within the team and from external sources. Feedback helps team members identify their strengths and weaknesses, learn from their mistakes, and improve their performance. It also helps the team align their goals, expectations, and processes with the changing environment. To encourage feedback, you need to create a safe and supportive space where team members can share their opinions, suggestions, and concerns openly and constructively. You also need to provide regular and timely feedback to your team, and act on the feedback you receive.
-
Quan F.
MBA| PMP Green Belt| First, Middle, Last Mile Executor| DEI Chairman| Innovation Leader| Talent developer| Ex Convoy| Ex Amazon| Ex Walmart
Open Communication: Keep communication open and transparent. Great communication binds everything together. Encourage team members to share ideas, concerns, and feedback. Active Listening: Make sure everyone feels heard. Actively listen to your team members' opinions and ideas. Encourage Creativity: Allow team members to experiment with new ideas and approaches. Creativity leads to innovation. Celebrate both successes and failures as part of the learning process. Resilience: A resilient team can withstand challenges. Foster a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. Encourage perseverance and adaptability in the face of difficulties.
-
Bruno Cannas
Operations Manager | MEP&FP Engineering | Project Management
Encouraging feedback is the heartbeat of an adaptable team. In my experience, fostering a culture of open communication transformed our dynamics. During a feedback session, a colleague pinpointed a blind spot in my approach. Initially uncomfortable, it led to refining my strategy and marked success. Feedback is important at all levels, creating a safe space for opinions and concerns. It's not just about individual growth; it's about crafting a team that elegantly dances through the rhythms of change. Feedback guides us in constant evolution. Also keep in mind that feedbacks take time to sink in and the initial reaction can be negative, always allow some time for the person hearing the feedback.
-
Imran Korai
Fintechs | Startups | Partnerships | Digital Payments | Digital Onboarding | Credit Scoring | Transaction Banking |Employee Banking | Embedded Finance | Product Development | Sales | Business Development | Open Banking
Encouraging feedback leads to empowering the team for decision making. If one can encourage autonomy and empower teammates to make decisions within their responsibilities which will help in building trust and flexibility as individuals will take the ownership of their work and do it.
Another key factor for building an adaptable team is to promote collaboration, both within the team and across the organization. Collaboration helps team members leverage their diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences to solve problems, generate ideas, and innovate. It also helps the team build trust, communication, and cohesion, which are essential for adapting to change. To promote collaboration, you need to foster a culture of teamwork, where team members support each other, share information, and celebrate successes. You also need to facilitate cross-functional interactions, where team members can learn from other departments, functions, or stakeholders.
-
Abdul Wahab
HR Lead | Full Cycle Recruitment |Global Recruitment(Domenstic&International)| Employee Engagement & TnD| Business Strategy & Policy Development.
Adaptability only comes with the leadership, team only see's its leader in the situation's, if leader is flexible and shows a demeanor of fortitude in tough situations there would no point for the members to stop. Elevating the effectiveness in tough situations, for this leader should earn the trust of team, We can buy a person's hand but not their heart where his enthusiasm and loyalty is kept. We can buy there back but not minds which kept there creativity ingenuity resourcefulness. simple kindness courtesies, honesty, keeping promises, managing expectations surrounding roles goals, integrity. This will not only increases your connection with your team but also manages their effectiveness in situations where adaptability is substantial.
-
Banisha Chopra
Manager - Corporate Banking Commercial Credit
Adaptability is accountable to the team collaboration and promoting collaboration becomes more important then. If there is collaboration in the team then the leadership gets success, if no collaboration it means the leader is unable to unite the team members. For any successful team, unity, building trust, promoting communication across the team members, developing understanding, facilitating inter-team interaction and cohesion are important factors to make them adaptable to changes which are free flow and uncertain.
-
Carlos Palomares
Head Loss Prevention, Gestor no varejo, gerenciamento de riscos corporativos e processos de melhoria contínua/Especialista Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt/Conselheiro ABRAPPE /
Para promover a colaboração, estabeleça processos de comunicação eficazes, forneça ferramentas de colaboração, reúna equipes com habilidades complementares, cultive um ambiente de confiança, defina metas compartilhadas e reconheça contribuições individuais. Isso incentiva o trabalho conjunto e a eficácia da equipe.
A third tip for building an adaptable team is to embrace learning, both as individuals and as a team. Learning helps team members develop new skills, knowledge, and competencies that enable them to cope with change, seize opportunities, and overcome challenges. It also helps the team stay curious, creative, and motivated, which are vital for adapting to change. To embrace learning, you need to provide opportunities for team members to learn new things, such as training, coaching, mentoring, or self-directed learning. You also need to encourage team members to share their learning, such as through peer-to-peer sessions, knowledge repositories, or storytelling.
-
Sharmistha Mukherjee
Executive Branding at IMERGEY | Revenue Growth & Client Success | Ex-Country Lead at Cameo | Ex-Likee | Short Video & Live Streaming | NFT & Metaverse
Learning is a lifelong journey. Every day presents an opportunity to discover something new and to expand the horizons of our understanding, from anyone - young, old, fresher or expert. One should strive to maintain a curious mind, much like that of a child. We see children approach the world with wide-eyed wonder, unabated curiosity, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. They ask "why" relentlessly, challenging the status quo, and in doing so, they learn, adapt, and progress. Embracing this childlike curiosity and never assuming that we know it all will actually get us much farther than we can fathom.
-
Palka Arora Chopra
Money Coach | Entrepreneur | Financial IQ to Financial EQ | Writer | Creator | Women in Finance | Thought Leader
One thing that I’ve found helpful is to encourage teams in their learning journey. Build avenues as a leader for your team to attend workshops, network, do courses to enhance their skills. This not only makes them more confident but gets them ready for newer challenges, tasks and upgrades. An Encouraged teams always brings out better ideas, builds character and they up for seizing opportunities.
-
Rajni Sankhla
Bussiness Development Manager|| Fostering Key Relationships for Success || Driving Growth & Strategic Partnerships
Building an adaptable team is an ongoing process that requires a combination of leadership support, cultural emphasis, and individual team member commitment. It involves creating an environment where flexibility and the ability to adapt to change are not only accepted but also encouraged and valued.
A fourth tip for building an adaptable team is to manage stress, both for yourself and for your team. Stress is inevitable in the face of change, and it can affect team members' well-being, productivity, and performance. It can also impair team members' ability to think clearly, creatively, and critically, which are crucial for adapting to change. To manage stress, you need to monitor your own stress levels and take steps to cope with them, such as by practicing self-care, setting boundaries, or seeking support. You also need to monitor your team's stress levels and provide support to them, such as by acknowledging their emotions, offering flexibility, or providing resources.
-
Eric Gyamfi
Esports Management
Stress management is unique to everyone however, everyone needs to learn how to properly cope with stress individually. Whether it's through gaming, therapy, exercise, or anything else. Managing stress is important to be the best version of yourself.
-
Carlos Palomares
Head Loss Prevention, Gestor no varejo, gerenciamento de riscos corporativos e processos de melhoria contínua/Especialista Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt/Conselheiro ABRAPPE /
Para gerenciar o estresse de forma eficaz, é essencial identificar suas fontes, manter um estilo de vida saudável com dieta, exercícios e sono adequados, praticar técnicas de relaxamento como meditação e respiração profunda, estabelecer limites de tempo, buscar apoio social, praticar atividades relaxantes, aprender a recusar tarefas extras, considerar ajuda profissional quando necessário e manter uma mentalidade positiva. Essas estratégias ajudam a controlar o estresse e promover o bem-estar.
-
Santosh Pandey
Finance Controller ► A fledgling professional in Finance, Banking, Corporate Planning, Credit Risk, Legal Compliance and Audit
Stress Management for Adaptability: Ensure team adaptability by prioritizing stress management. Acknowledge the inevitability of stress during change and recognize its impact on well-being, productivity, and critical thinking—key components for successful adaptation. Self-Care and Boundaries: Lead by example in managing stress by practicing self-care and setting boundaries. Monitor your stress levels and take proactive steps to cope. This not only enhances your well-being but sets a positive precedent for the team. Supporting Team Well-being: Extend stress management support to the team by recognizing their emotions, offering flexibility, and providing necessary resources.
A final tip for building an adaptable team is to lead by example, both as a manager and as a role model. Leading by example helps team members see how adaptability looks like in action, and inspires them to follow suit. It also helps the team trust your vision, direction, and decisions, which are important for adapting to change. To lead by example, you need to demonstrate adaptability yourself, such as by embracing change, learning new things, seeking feedback, and collaborating with others. You also need to communicate clearly, transparently, and frequently with your team, and involve them in the change process.
-
Amit Mehta aka BIG KAHUNA
Luxury Real Estate | Fintech | Telecom | Big Kahuna | Management |
Leading by example is a powerful way to foster adaptability within a team. When leaders/managers demonstrate a willingness to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances, it sets a positive tone for the entire organization. It also instils confidence in team members, showing them that change is not only accepted but also valued. This leads to a more dynamic and agile work environment, better equipped to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. A leader leads the way.
-
Carlos Palomares
Head Loss Prevention, Gestor no varejo, gerenciamento de riscos corporativos e processos de melhoria contínua/Especialista Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt/Conselheiro ABRAPPE /
"Liderar pelo exemplo" é uma prática fundamental na liderança. Isso significa que os líderes devem demonstrar os comportamentos, valores e ética que desejam ver em suas equipes. Ao liderar pelo exemplo, os líderes inspiram confiança, estabelecem padrões elevados e motivam os membros da equipe a segui-los. Essa abordagem fortalece a cultura organizacional, promove a ética e a integridade, e cria um ambiente de trabalho saudável e produtivo. Portanto, os líderes devem ser modelos de comportamento e agir de maneira consistente com as expectativas que têm para sua equipe.
-
Babita Tamang
Influncer/ Trader at NeXarise/Reflexologist / hospitality professional
As a leader, we must be very friendly with our colleagues and deliver the authentic information about project or any task that working with then respect them, listen to them and at the same time share the knowledge.
-
Shanitha Selvarajalu
Managing Executive: Customer Care at Vodacom
In today's fast-paced workplace, creating an adaptable team is essential. Here are three vital tips: 1. Cultivate a Shared Purpose: Foster a common sense of purpose that connects each team member to the organization's mission. Encourage open communication to maintain alignment with core values. 2. Encourage Open Dialogue and Innovation: Foster an environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages the exchange of ideas. Build a culture of psychological safety, where team members feel at ease sharing thoughts and proposing innovative solutions. 3. Invest in Continuous Learning and Development: Prioritize the development of your team's skills and knowledge through regular training, workshops, and mentorship.
-
Carlos Palomares
Head Loss Prevention, Gestor no varejo, gerenciamento de riscos corporativos e processos de melhoria contínua/Especialista Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt/Conselheiro ABRAPPE /
1. Comunicação clara; 2. Coerência; 3. Integridade; 4. Empatia; 5. Inclusão; 6. Respeito; 7. Aprendizado; 8. Feedback; 9. Desenvolvimento da equipe; 10.Transparência.
-
Babita Tamang
Influncer/ Trader at NeXarise/Reflexologist / hospitality professional
- proper/ effective communication - success never comes alone ( team work/power of we) - Be responsible and be respected - transparency