Vol. 21: Adaptability is a Superpower

This week we’re going to pivot between cross-functional and multi-dimensional personal and professional modalities to leverage synergies and capitalize on low-hanging fruit.

I’m kidding. Please don’t unsubscribe.

Last weekend I went to San Diego to facilitate the servant leadership curriculum at Sigma Chi’s San Diego State chapter.

My original plans before leaving that Friday morning were to go on a long run, shower, grab my bags (that would’ve been already packed), then head to the airport early.

Instead? I had some drinks at our Goodwill Board social the night before, didn’t go on a long run, packed the morning of, and accidentally shaved my entire beard off because the guard wasn’t on properly.

That doesn't even cover the whole facilitation experience. 80% of that didn't go as planned - it was all improv and adapting as we went.

Now are some of these things consequences of my own actions? Absolutely! But not everything though. That shaving part - man, that was tragic. I haven’t been clean shaven in over 5 years, and last time it was on purpose!

Adaptability is key to a productive and fulfilling life. The ability to take the punches as they come and quickly pivot to the next best solution. It's important - whether you threw the punches yourself or not.

Individuals and groups lose ground when they’re not adaptable.

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Kodak went from being THE camera company to borderline obsolete because they thought digital cameras wouldn’t catch on (even though they invented the first digital camera).

BlackBerry went from being the "business person's" phone and seemingly ubiquitous in society to being dusted by Apple and the iPhone, simply because they were stuck on their keyboard buttons and didn't want to adopt a touchscreen.

Blockbuster... need I say more?

These are companies that faltered because of a lack of adaptability, but even personally, if you don’t adapt, you’ll waste valuable time and energy.

The coffee shop is out of your favorite drink. Is that going to get you down for 5 hours or 5 seconds?

Your friend texted you last minute that they can’t make it to dinner. Are you going to send a snarky reply and ruin your experience or send “All good!” and enjoy your meal anyway?

Your work project‘s deadline got suddenly moved up, and you need to move things around last minute to make sure it gets done. Are you going to stress out and panic or reprioritize your tasks and communicate with others about the change?

Some changes can be caused by your own decisions (good or bad), like drinking the night before a planned run or knocking out a list of tasks early.
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But those other changes - you can’t control those. A sudden deadline shift or your shaving guard not being attached properly.

The strongest leaders are the most adaptable, both personally and as the lead of their team.

They get back on their feet quick. Like falling on a trampoline vs falling in a foam pit.

Next time you get punched, get back up quicker than you did last time.

And then quicker the next.

Then even quicker.

Adapt, then adapt again.

Your productivity and enjoyment of life will thank you for it. And others will too.

See you next Thursday, Steppers.

We will succeed,

Grayson

​graysonstepanek.com​

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Song of the Week:

Excavator Don Toliver PREVIEW   ​

I've been hooked on this song all week - I literally can't stop listening to it. Don really outdid himself with this album and song. If you need an earworm of a melody, a droning hypnotic beat, and a just overall banger hip-hop track, check this out. One of those melodies that feel like he plucked it out of the universe - like it's existed forever.