The Power of Adaptability
New Challenges Require New Approaches and Skills
What’s the difference between an elite high school athlete and an elite college athlete? What’s the difference between an elite college athlete and a professional athlete?
Both athletes understand the game, have athletic ability, and can clearly play. The difference between these athletes is in their ability to adjust how they play so they can continue to compete on any stage.
In soccer (the world’s greatest sport), players who excel have a better first touch, scan for the best option, and play the right pass faster. Players who struggle in more competitive environments receive the ball with their head down, lack vision, and take too long to make the pass. Thus, they lose the ball and struggle to perform. It’s not that they can’t do it … it’s more about their struggle to realize that the skills that made them successful previously will not continue to make them successful in a more competitive environment.
The old adage, “What got you to where you are won’t get you to where you want to go”, is true in many walks of life.
There’s a reason the best home cooks can fall apart managing a professional kitchen. The gap is not in the ability to make an incredible meal. The gap is in the ability to manage a team making incredible meals repeatedly.
We see this reality in sports and in cooking … so why is it difficult for us to recognize this reality in our leadership at work?
At work, why do we say things like:
“That’s just not who I am …”
“That’s not how I work …”
“I can’t change who I am …”
“I don’t have time …”
“My team just can’t …”
Athletes who refused to adapt their game stopped bringing value to the pitch in more competitive matches. Cooks who refused to adapt their leadership skills stopped bringing value to the kitchen in more intense situations. Leaders who refuse to grow their skill(s) limit their ability, career, and team effectiveness.
When I coach soccer and ask players to advance their game, I’m not changing who they are. I am helping them grow their ability to compete at a higher level.
When I coach leaders and challenge them to approach a situation in a different way, I’m not changing who they are. Rather, I’m trying to help who they are come alive in more challenging situations.
What helped you as an individual contributor is not the same skill set that will help you as a manager.
What helped you as a manager is not the same skill set needed to perform at a high level as a director.
What helped you as a director is not the same skill set that will help you as VP.
What helped you as VP is not the same skill set that will help you as an EVP in the C-Suite.
Every role and every challenge requires new approaches and skills.
Leaders do not need to change who they are to grow their capacity and capability. Leaders need to develop new strategies for how they look at situations, respond to leaders, and execute priorities to continue to make a positive and lasting impact.
