Going out of one's comfort zone is the least a person could resort to, but it sets high achievers apart from everyone else in the room. It is more than their confidence or expertise, a Harvard Business School professor contends.
Joseph Fuller, who has dedicated nearly ten years to researching and collaborating with some of the globe's top achievers, ranging from Fortune 500 executives to Nobel Prize winners, has found that high achievers are those who are not rigidly committed to career paths they set early in their careers but instead welcome change rather than shying away from it.
Why Do People Resist Change?
Change is a constant phenomenon in the workplace, making adaptability a critical factor for achieving success and fostering growth. Adapting and demonstrating resilience are essential skills that empower individuals and organizations to navigate evolving circumstances and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Many people find change uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing, and this is a common experience because we humans are creatures of habit who are naturally inclined to resist change. Our brain's amygdala, responsible for processing fear and threats, perceives change as a potential threat, which triggers the release of hormones that evoke fear, prompting us to fight or flee. Our bodies instinctively strive to protect us from change. As a result, adopting new behaviors or approaching familiar tasks in novel ways requires deliberate effort, even when these changes could ultimately benefit us, Kathryn Landis shared in a LinkedIn article.
While setting career goals and timelines is excellent, becoming too entrenched in one's preferences can hinder openness to unexpected opportunities or unconventional career paths, says Fuller. Focusing solely on rigid expectations rather than personal motivation or interests can limit career growth, and such a stubborn mindset is unlikely to take you to places and cause you to miss out on other professional opportunities.
A Rare to Find Adaptability Skill
While communication ranks as the most sought-after skill among companies currently hiring, adaptability is increasingly valued as a soft skill across various industries, according to LinkedIn's 2024 Most In-Demand Skills list.
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According to LinkedIn, the increased demand for an adaptable workforce stems directly from post-pandemic shifts, with the emergence of AI, the widespread integration of remote and hybrid work models, and the collaboration of five generations, each with distinct communication styles and workplace behaviors.
Employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can swiftly adapt to ongoing changes. According to LinkedIn Vice President Aneesh Raman, being adaptable is crucial for asserting control in the current landscape, and developing the ability to adapt is fundamental to effectively managing and navigating change.
With hybrid work now standard in offices across the U.S., employees must communicate proficiently with leaders, colleagues, customers, and team members through an expanding array of channels and platforms while adjusting to new tools and processes, explains LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher to CNBC Make It.
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