I have written a fair amount about the different qualities hiring managers are now seeking beyond the required professional skills. One of these important skills is adaptability. According to LinkedIn’s 2017 Emerging Jobs Report in which they surveyed over 1,200 hiring managers, adaptability was the number one most important skills to have.

Why are companies seeking employees who are adaptable? The answer is quite simple – everything is in a state of constant and continual change, and employees who are stuck – unwilling or unable to change – will hold a company back.

So, what does adaptability really mean? It means being flexible, willing to change or shift, and sometimes do so quickly without a clear and defined plan.

How adaptable are you? Ask yourself the following 5 questions:

• Does change cause you stress?
• Have you put off applying for a new due to fear of the unknown?
• Do you get annoyed when plans change?
• Do you hate surprises?
• Do you get rattled with unexpected interruptions?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then you likely are not all that adaptable. Change isn’t easy for anyone. It can stir up anxiety in most people, but to be closed to change, unable to adapt, will not only may be a hindrance in your job over the long run, but it also prevents you from seeing, let along take advantage of, many possible and wonderful opportunities. Plus, there are great benefits to being adaptable – topping the list is happiness. According to psychologist Guy Winch, “Our ability to have life satisfaction, to be happy and to have good relationships really depends on our ability to adapt.”

So, you’ve discovered you are not all that adaptable – now what? In next week’s follow-up post, “The Art of Being Adaptable” will look at ways to boost your adaptability.

Best,