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Adaptability in the workplace: Defining and improving this key skill

No matter what your job is or how long you’ve been doing it, adaptability is an important skill to have. In fact, adaptability is one of the top five skills that employers are looking for — and no wonder. If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s the need to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. It’s a core part of resilience, stress management, and career development.

Our ability to look ahead to the future and imagine possible scenarios is a uniquely human one. Psychologists like Martin Seligman, Roy F. Baumeister , and others refer to this as “prospection.” BetterUp defines this skill in action as future-mindedness. As we emerge from the pandemic and redefine the future of work, future-minded leaders will have a vital role to play. They tend to be more successful, hopeful, and less stressed than their peers — and hopefully, model those behaviors for others.

No matter what situation comes up, it’s important to be able to deal with it in an effective way and move on. Adaptability is a critical skill, both in work and in life. 

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one most adaptable to change. Charles Darwin

What it means to have adaptability

In his best-selling book, Think Again , Adam Grant emphasizes the importance of being open to changing your mind. The ability to re-think — and move accordingly — is a core part of developing adaptability.

What is adaptability?

Adaptability is the willingness to change your behavior or strategy as needed to adjust to a changing environment. It is crucial for success in today's ever-changing workplace. Those who are adaptable can respond quickly to a change in demands or priorities.

If adaptability is the ability to change and adjust, the opposite is inflexibility. Inflexible or rigid people have difficulty coping with new situations or conditions. These traits can make employees seem out of touch or uncommitted. They may not want to try new things, fear not being successful at them, resist changes that would improve their work life, and show unwillingness to learn from their mistakes . Often, they have trouble hearing and incorporating feedback. 

A lack of adaptability can lead leaders astray too. Leaders need to be able to reflect on how their team operates and identify the changes that might be necessary for future success.

What are adaptability skills?

Adaptability skills are what make people and teams more capable of thriving during a time of change, or when faced with new challenges. The ability to adapt is crucial for leaders and their teams during turbulent times , like a pandemic. When the work environment changes rapidly, adaptable people and teams are able to adjust in real time without any loss of productivity or quality.

There are three types of adaptability skills: cognitive flexibility, social flexibility, and behavioral flexibility. The first two are related to adapting thoughts and interactions with others, while the third refers to adapting actions. 

You might notice that adaptability skills are different from problem-solving skills . Problem-solving skills can include finding the right solution to a problem while adaptability is really just responding to changes in demand and changes in priorities that are often outside of your control. However, an adaptive mindset often leads to stronger and more creative problem-solving.

When you think about adaptability, you might also want to consider interpersonal skills , like active listening and growth mindset, as well as cognitive skills like critical thinking. Adaptability also extends to soft skill sets such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.

Examples of adaptability skills:

Adaptability skills can help you navigate change and meet the demands of new projects. Here are some examples of adaptability skills, and how they can be useful or applied in the workplace:

Leadership skills

When working with an employee or team member, adaptive leaders will tailor their approach based on the person's personality or style. This is a valuable skill that ensures everyone feels valued and recognized as an individual. They can work well on a variety of projects or teams.

Responding to adversity

When challenges arise, we often have to throw out old plans and come up with something new. Adaptable employees can do this without feeling frustrated or stymied by the shift. They are flexible and open to new ideas.

Communication skills

A good communicator will use different tactics when communicating with various stakeholders, depending on the situation. Rather than pushing ahead with one method, they can change their approach. This can diffuse tension, help others learn, and drive change when needed.

Changing approaches

We all have our preferred way of working, and it’s easy to fall into a routine. When we’re adaptable, we can incorporate new technology and master new skills. This can help streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

Incorporating feedback

Rigid individuals often take feedback personally. People who are highly flexible are open to new ways of doing things. They have a growth mindset and are continually challenging their existing processes and assumptions.

Why adaptability is essential for leadership

We know that leaders need to be willing and able to change in order to lead a successful team. But what does this actually look like? It's not enough for leaders just to say they'll do things differently or make changes. They also have to take action. Leaders need to use their flexibility and willingness as tools. This can help them achieve success, both at work and outside of it. 

3 ways to develop adaptable leaders

Developing leaders who are adaptable in the workplace helps to ensure that they and their teams can be flexible in the face of change. Here are three ways you can help your leaders become more adaptable:

1. Have a clear vision

Leaders should know what their goals are and have an idea of where they want to go. But they need to balance this with being open to new possibilities. A leader should always know why they're making a decision. There should be multiple paths to success, and each decision aligns with the end goal — not one particular way of getting there.

2. Encourage innovation

Innovation is part of the process for creating new solutions to old problems. Leaders should create environments that welcome innovative thinking from all levels of the organization. Creativity only thrives in an environment that encourages and values it.

3. Build safety

Adaptability often means taking risks . However, those in a leadership role may feel under pressure to deliver certain results. That may make it feel unsafe to make mistakes. Encourage bold action over perfect results.

Tips for establishing adaptability in teams

Building adaptability can become part of your team culture. You can share it with your co-workers as both a value and as a way of approaching work. Here are some ways to foster adaptability skills and future-mindedness on your team:

1. Stay open-minded 

It's hard not be closed off when you're set in your ways. But being open-minded can help you learn from others, see new perspectives, and make better decisions. 

2. Embrace the process

Understand that there's always room for improvement. People are never finished learning, so don't get discouraged. As James Clear emphasizes in Atomic Habits , incremental progress can accumulate to game-changing results.

3. Leave room for error

Don't fear making mistakes. Plan for things not to go perfectly. These mistakes provide valuable learning opportunities and a chance to develop agility.

4. Foster a culture of trust and transparency

Share what’s happening with the team and the company. But in addition to that, provide frequent feedback and guidance to employees who are struggling with tasks or projects. Make feedback a regular occurrence, and open the way for them to share with you in return.

5. Challenge your team 

Create opportunities for employees to learn new skills, even if they're not related directly to their job description. Send them on field trips to other departments, or have them take online courses on subjects that will help them learn new skills. These might include project management or public speaking . 

Improving your ability to adapt

The ability to adapt to change is a key skill to have in today's workplace. Both in and out of work, however, our ability to adapt can help us move through uncertainty with more ease. You may not know what will happen in the future, but you can trust your ability to handle it.

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With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

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10 Important Adaptability Skills For The Workplace (And How To Improve Them)

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Adaptability skills that are important to have for the workplace include communication skills, the ability to learn quickly, and problem-solving skills. To help improve these skills it’s important to ask questions, try to do things different than usual, and accept and analyze failures. If you’re someone who wants to improve your adaptability skills, or have examples to include in your resume or interviews, your in luck. In this article, you’ll learn what adaptability is, examples of adaptability skills, and how to grow in this area. Key Takeaways Adaptability is the ability to respond to unexpected change with grace and to be able to accomplish a task even if things go wrong. A few of the top adaptability skills are communication, quick learning, problem-solving, organization, decision-making, resourcefulness, leadership, and stress management. Adaptability skills are important to have because they show employers that you can be trusted. In This Article    Skip to section What are adaptability skills? Examples of adaptability skills Why adaptability skills are important Tips For improving adaptability skills How to highlight your adaptability skills Adaptability skills in the workplace FAQ References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What are adaptability skills?

Having adaptability skills means embracing change with optimism and a problem-solving mentality to create an ideal outcome. Consider a stressful work situation, such as a co-worker quitting without notice and leaving a lump-sum of work behind.

An employee with adaptability skills embraces this inconvenient change as a challenge, rather than a frustrating issue. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their problem-solving and delegation skills.

Adaptability is an impressive soft skill to include on your resume because it speaks to your initiative and leadership abilities.

Examples of adaptability skills

Being flexible to change involves a series of soft skills that allow a person to effectively adjust. Consider the examples of adaptability skills below to see if any apply to your work style.

Communication Skills

While many factors contribute to an organization’s success, one of the most essential is strong communication. Communication skills are important skills to have to be successful at work. This is true when changes are occurring, as well as when everything is going according to plan.

Adapting to change can’t be done through a single employee individually. To be a good communicator you must be able to effectively communicate your ideas and reservations with coworkers and supervisors when adapting to change.

Communication skills incorporate more than just explaining your plans for moving forward to others. It involves utilizing multiple tools including:

Being an active Listener

Asking Questions when unclear

Emotional Intelligence

Paying attention to nonverbal cues

Coordinating with others

Respectfulness

Self-Awareness

Ability to Learn Quickly

A huge part of being adaptable is about openness and the ability to learn new information. No matter how exceptional you are at your job now, there’s always the possibility that the ways things are done can change. Technology, standards, and systems in the workplace are constantly evolving. Being able to learn and incorporate these advancements into your work is a valuable adaptability skill.

Learning Skills Involve:

Observation

Critical-thinking

Attention to detail

Problem-Solving

One of the big reasons that adaptability is a desirable trait is that it enhances problem-solving abilities. While we’d all like to work in an environment free from issues, every once in awhile we’re going to come across a few. How you deal with arising problems or unforeseen circumstances greatly contributes to the quality of your work. Candidates who take on problems with a positive mindset and adapt accordingly are in high-demand because they maintain office productivity no matter the circumstance.

Examples of Problem-Solving Skills Include:

Data Analysis

Brainstorming

Coordination

Negotiation

Decision-making

Experimentation

Logical Reasoning

Creative thinking

Organization

Being organized at work is generally a good idea to have your days run smoothly. This is especially true when adapting to change. It’s extremely difficult to form an effective plan or solution if you’re disorganized. Being organized at work means that it’ll be less stressful to adapt to change and make you a more prepared employee in general.

Organizational Skills Include:

Time Management

Planning ahead

Record Keeping

Strategic Thinking

Using Resources

Decision-Making

A huge part of adaptability involves discussion and brainstorming, however, it’s of equal importance that you can make final decisions. There are many great options for how to go about handling a project or situation, but it comes down to following through with a definitive course of action. A plan can never grow to fruition if it’s never started. Being able to act on your plans is an important skill involved in adaptability.

Decision-Making Involves:

Problem-solving

Leadership abilities

Risk Assessment

Resourcefulness

Being resourceful is a very helpful skill when it comes to adaptability because it allows you to consider all possible options. Resourcefulness means using all the tools at your disposal to get a job done. These resources may not always be so obvious or outlined. Sometimes, you need to use a little bit of creativity to reach an end goal in the best way possible.

Resourcefulness Involves:

Open-Mindedness

Communication

Persistence

Building Rapport

Prioritization

Leadership Skills

Adaptability insinuates strong leadership skills . If you’re seeking a management position, or hope for your career to move in that direction, having adaptability skills can be crucial. Out of everyone involved in a project, it’s most important for a supervisor to be flexible. This is because their attitude will affect the whole team.

Have you ever worked for a manager who became stressed out at every minor inconvenience, and in turn, the entire team was continually on edge?

This is a negative environment to work in, and it’ll show in the quality of work and productivity.

On the other hand, consider a time you worked under a supervisor who always kept their cool and found solutions, even when faced with considerable difficulty.

An adaptable leader motivates their team to do better, and that can greatly improve overall work performance.

Leadership Skills Include:

Effective Communication

Dependability

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Interpersonal Skills

Stress Management

Adapting to change can be stressful, even if you’re a seasoned professional when it comes to flexibility. Being able to effectively manage stress and channel it into finding a solution is a vital adaptability skill. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the workplace when the unexpected happens, but crucial to maintain a calm, and professional attitude.

Stress Management Involves:

Keeping an Optimistic Outlook

Setting realistic goals

Emotion Regulation

Accepting what you can’t control

Determination

Even when adapting is new, different, and even stressful, some times determination is one of the best way to get through it. If you’re determined not to give up, then you can get through almost any situation, or recover from almost any mistake.

Determination is all about:

Trying new solutions until you succeed

Not giving up when you don’t understand, or when a situation is difficult

Being willing to pursue goals and achievements

Emotion regulation in stressful situations

Adaptability and innovation go hand-in-hand. An innovator can not only adapt to new changes, but also use new changes to make further improvements.

While innovation is a wonderful and adaptable skill, not everyone knows how to be innovative. After all, coming up with new ideas or finding ways to improve the status quo isn’t easy.

Innovation involves:

Being open to change

Being surrounded by positivity

Learning from other innovators

Broadening your professional network

Confidence in your ideas

Why adaptability skills are important

Adaptability skills are important to applicants at any level. An adaptable applicant will provide higher quality to their work, and be a better employee to work with. For entry-level candidates, adaptability skills can demonstrate a candidate who will thrive regardless of difficulties and has room to grow with more responsibilities.

When applying for a management role, it can make your application stand out immensely to explain a time you handled a workplace change productively.

Being adaptable is crucial for supervisors because their team is going to be following their approach. A leader who establishes a tone of panic or stress during a period of change will surely pass this energy onto their staff.

When employers are hiring, they aren’t just seeking an applicant who has the necessary experience to fill the role adequately. They want the whole package, which includes relevant soft skills in addition to former experience.

Adaptability skills can be just as important for you as it is for your employer. Changes always happen, and flexibility can make your life a lot less stressful when it does.

Tips For improving adaptability skills

Adaptability skills can be improved upon, like any other ability. Despite your position or field, working on these skills can greatly enhance the success of your resume. If you only have the time to work on one of your soft skills, make it your adaptability.

Consider implementing one or more of the following tips to upgrade your adaptability skills.

Ask Many Questions

Accept and Analyze Failures

Do Things Differently Than Usual

Get More Comfortable With Change

Be Willing to Learn

Improve On Your Listening Skills

Be Positive

How to highlight your adaptability skills

If you don’t mention your adaptability skills in your resume and job interviews, they won’t do you much good as far as helping you get a job.

Write your best adaptability skills in the “skills” section of your resume, and in your interview, work in anecdotes of how you adapted to situations. You may even be able to include a few in your resume if they connect with your role responsibilities.

The best way to show hiring managers that you’re adaptable is to be adaptable, so if something goes wrong or something unexpected happens during your interview, use that opportunity to demonstrate your skills firsthand.

Adaptability skills in the workplace FAQ

What are examples of adaptability skills?

Examples of adaptability skills include:

Communication.

Being able to learn quickly.

Problem-solving.

Organization.

Decision-making.

Resourcefulness.

Leadership.

Stress management.

How do you show adaptability in the workplace?

You show adaptability in the workplace by responding to unexpected challenges or changes with grace and a can-do attitude. By not becoming flustered by the unexpected and finding a way to still accomplish the task you had set out to do, you’ll demonstrate adaptability.

Why is adaptability an important skill?

Adaptability is an important skill because it shows that you’re trustworthy and makes you an easier person to work with. When you’re adaptable, your employer will be able to trust you with more responsibility, since you’ve shown that you can solve problems, are resourceful, and won’t be derailed by something going wrong.

Why is adaptability a key quality to employers?

Adaptability is a key quality to employers because the more adaptable you are, the better worker you can be. Adaptability also shows that you are better suited for a leadership role. Having the skills and ability to be adaptable shows your employer that you are a trustworthy employee and you can respond well to any unexpected situation.

It’s Your Yale – Learn and Grow: What is adaptability in the workplace?

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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Nick Wignall

• Post date February 12, 2019

Adaptive Thinking: How High-Performers Think When It Matters Most

• Tags productivity

In 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, US Navy fighter pilots started losing ground to their North Vietnamese counterparts.

During the previous few years, US fighter pilots had been shooting down about two North Vietnamese aircraft for every one they lost, a 2:1 ratio. But by the first few months of 1968, the ratio had dropped to 1:1.

This was the impetus for the creation of the famous Top Gun school that took the best US Navy fighter pilots, trained them to fly and fight like enemy fighter pilots, and used them as instructors for new Navy fighter pilots.

The results of the Top Gun training program were impressive: By the early 1970s, US Navy fighter pilots were shooting down just over 12 enemy aircraft for every one they lost, a dramatically improved 12:1 ratio.

Critically, the success of the Top Gun training program lay in its rigorous application of the principles of Deliberate Practice , especially, a specific approach to the mental aspects of high-performance called Adaptive Thinking .

How Adaptive Thinking Leads to High Performance

According to psychologist and expertise researcher Anders Ericsson , Adaptive Thinking involves the ability to “recognize unexpected situations, quickly consider various possible responses, and decide on the best one.”

As you might expect, this ability is critical for high-stakes performance like fighter pilots in a dogfight.

While most people with adequate levels of skill and competency can usually perform well in routine circumstances, it’s the ability to perform at a high level under unpredictable or stressful circumstances that often sets apart truly expert performers.

Think of the neurosurgeon who can adapt on the fly to an unexpected brain bleed in the middle of a procedure or the trial lawyer who can deftly modify their argument and strategy in the face of unexpected evidence or testimony.

The ability to perform well at the highest levels requires the ability not only to think well but to think flexibly and quickly—in other words, to think adaptively.

Interestingly, some clever research into how high-performing professionals work has identified 3 primary components or ingredients of Adaptive Thinking:

• Effective planning
• Careful monitoring of progress
• The ability to flexibly shift thinking and behavior to accommodate circumstantial changes

In the rest of this article, we’ll look at how you can use 3 specific exercises to improve Adaptive Thinking and bolster your performance in any area.

How to Improve Your Adaptive Thinking

Adaptive Thinking isn’t just for fighter pilots and neurosurgeons. Anyone can learn to harness the power of Adaptive Thinking to improve their performance in any domain that matters to them.

Whether you want to become more proficient in playing guitar, closing a sale, investing in startups, or communicating with your spouse, exercising your Adaptive Thinking abilities will help you go from merely okay or adequate to excelling.

Each of these exercises is based on one of the three ingredients of Adaptive Thinking—Planning, Monitoring, and Cognitive Flexibility. If you can practice them consistently, you’ll be well on your way to dramatically improved performance.

1. Establish a Negative Visualization Routine

Visualization and guided imagery exercises have long been an essential component to training regimens of top-performers, especially athletes .

The basic practice is to imagine and rehearse your desired performance in as much detail as possible before you actually attempt it, being especially careful to bring in as many sensory details as possible.

One of the primary benefits of positive visualization practices is that they solidify and clarify your mental representations of your desired skill. Having a more detailed and crisp mental picture of what your performance should be like helps you to notice when you’re deviating from it and make adjustments faster.

And while these positive visualization exercises are undoubtedly powerful , there may also be a place for Negative Visualization —visualizing potential obstacles or setbacks that might arise during a performance.

A Negative Visualization Routine has two parts:

• Generate a list of potential obstacles or unanticipated setbacks that could occur during the performance.
• Practice visualizing and rehearsing the performance in your mind, and during each practice session, work in one of the obstacles, being sure to visualize how you might feel in response to it and what action you would ideally take.

Suppose you’re visualizing yourself giving an important presentation. While you certainly want to have a clear idea of your ideal performance, it’s also beneficial to have anticipated potential curveballs like unusual questions, challenging remarks, technical difficulties, etc. Not only will this help you remain calm and focused should one of these curveballs or obstacles arise, but you’ll also have practice implementing a solution.

If you want to implement a Negative Visualization routine, start by getting in the habit of doing a negative visualization exercise before lower-stakes performances.

For example, if the goal is to establish a Negative Visualization routine to boost performance during sales meetings with potential clients, start by establishing the routine before weekly meetings with your supervisor or manager.

Learn More: For more general guidance on Visualization and Guided Imagery, this brief PDF guide gives a good introduction.

2. Use Deep Work Sprints to Improve Your Capacity for Full Focus

The second ingredient of Adaptive Thinking is the ability to carefully monitor your progress during a performance or practice leading up to one. This skill partly depends on developing good mental representations of the desired performance, as we discussed above in #1. But perhaps the most critical part of monitoring your performance is the ability to focus with full attention.

Because high-performance tasks are so cognitively demanding, there’s little mental bandwidth to spare, which is another way of saying your performance is especially vulnerable to distraction. Without e xceptional abilities to focus and concentrate for sustained periods of time, it’s almost impossible to simultaneously perform the task and monitor your performance.

The best way to cultivate this ability for intense, sustained focus is Deep Work.

Deep Work is an idea developed by Cal Newport and is defined as “Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capacities to their limit.”

The key is phrase is push your cognitive capacities to their limit. In order to truly improve your ability to focus, you must work at a high enough level that your attentional abilities are genuinely challenged and forced to grow and adapt to a higher level of achievement.

In order to do this, I recommend beginning with what I call Deep Work Sprints, short exercises in Deep Work done consistently.

As an example of using Deep Work Sprints to improve your ability to sustain high levels of focus, consider the example from the previous section about improving your ability to speak in public and present.

In order to do this effectively, you must be able to bring your full powers of focus to bear. So practice giving small parts of a presentation with maximum attention for short periods of time.

You might, for instance, take a series of two or three slides from your presentation and try to keep your whole focus on your ability to transition smoothly between them. It’s crucial to pick a relatively brief activity because at first your ability to focus will not be well-developed.

Repeat this “sprint” until it’s no longer challenging to hold your focus for that long. Then choose another section of the presentation that’s a bit longer and practice Deep Work Sprints with it.

In this way, you can build up your ability to sustain high levels of focus and concentration, which will be invaluable for your ability to effectively monitor your own performance and make adjustments as needed.

Learn More: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

3. Exercise Your Divergent Thinking Muscle

The third and final ingredient or skill in Adaptive Thinking is the ability to flexibly shift your thinking and behavior to accommodate unexpected changes in your environment.

Unfortunately, most of us struggle to do this because it’s not the way we’ve been trained to think.

Throughout decades of school and job training, most of us are taught how to think in a specific way called Convergent Thinking . This means taking a single problem and working out which of many possible solutions is the correct one:

• Summarizing To Kill a Mockingbird in a book report
• Solving a differential equation in Calculus
• Pitching a new client on your SaaS product and landing the sale

All of these are examples of thinking that are directed toward a singular answer or outcomes. And while this skill is certainly important, we all too often forget about its twin, Divergent Thinking .

Divergent Thinking is the mental muscle that is thought to underly creativity. It involves generating multiple solutions or possibilities based on a single data point or idea:

• Sketching out ideas for how to structure an essay or book
• Inventing a new device to improve blood flow in and reduce plaque in blood vessels
• Composing a new song

Of course, we all use Divergent Thinking to some extent  But for most of us, it’s the far less well-developed skill.

But it’s precisely the mental muscle we need in order to quickly adapt to unexpected changes during a high-performance activity, which is the hallmark of Adaptive Thinking:

• How do you respond during a sales pitch when a potential client brings up a problem you hadn’t considered?
• What play does a quarterback audible to when the opposing defense completely changes its set?
• How does the main thrust of a trial lawyer’s closing argument change given an unexpected piece of evidence?

In order to develop our Divergent Thinking muscle, there are several exercises and routines that I’ve found helpful:

• The Many Uses Exercise. This simple task involves generating out-side-the-box uses for ordinary objects in a time-sensitive situation.
• 10 New Ideas. Based on James Altucher’s How to Become an Idea Machine, this exercise has your get into the habit of generating new ideas on a daily basis.
• Daily Headlines. A fascinating exercise to simultaneous flex both Divergent and Convergent Thinking abilities.
• Articles on Trial. This technique involves building the habit of arguing with articles you read online and generating alternative lines of argumentation or counter-argumentation.
• Automatic to alternative Thoughts. This exercise is specifically useful for building flexibility in the way we think and talk to ourselves, that is, learning to change our Self-Talk.

To learn more about how to implement each of these exercises and cultivate your Divergent Thinking abilities, check out this article:

Divergent Thinking: The Mental Muscle Behind Consistent Creativity

Summary and Conclusion

Adaptive Thinking is the ability to “recognize unexpected situations, quickly consider various possible responses, and decide on the best one” and is an essential ingredient in the ability to perform at high levels of mastery.

There are three separate components or ingredients to Adaptive Thinking that can be individually cultivated:

• Careful monitoring of performance

You can improve your ability to perform at the highest levels of any activity by explicitly training Adaptive Thinking. And perhaps the best way to do this is to target each of its subcomponents with tailored exercises, three of which mentioned in this article are:

• Negative Visualization
• Deep Work Sprints
• Divergent Thinking

34 Comments

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History, Experience, Effective Planning, and careful monitoring of performance all mixed in the adaptive thinking pot.

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6 ways to develop adaptability in the workplace and embrace change

Workplace adaptability helps you react effectively to a variety of situations. In this article, we’ll cover six ways to develop your adaptability skills, including how to become a better problem solver, embrace change, keep an open mind, practice mindfulness, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

The workplace is an ever-changing, dynamic place. A campaign that works brilliantly one day totally flops the next. The colleague you’ve always relied on is suddenly out on leave. 

We’ve all seen this firsthand over the past few years as businesses adjusted to the ups and downs of working through a pandemic. Those changes have been major. But even minor adjustments, like new software or a desk change, can cause disruptions for you and your team.

Often, changes are outside of your control. What you can control is how you react to them. Do you want to be someone people look to during challenging times? A leader who can guide others? Like many soft skills, adaptability is a skill you can learn. By developing adaptability in the workplace, you can learn to deal with—and even grow from—inevitable changes. 

What is adaptability in the workplace?

Workplace adaptability is the ability to respond effectively to different scenarios and challenges within the workplace. It's not as simple as just being more flexible. Adaptable people develop targeted skill sets, processes, and frameworks that allow them to quickly and efficiently deal with different situations as they arise.

Becoming adaptable at work helps you respond to new situations, new roles, new projects, and new clients. As you develop this skill set, you'll be able to face any change that comes your way.

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6 essential adaptability skills for the workplace

1. cognitive adaptability.

Cognitive adaptability refers to the ability to adjust one's thinking and mental strategies in response to new situations. This skill set involves critical thinking, problem-solving, and the capacity to learn and apply new information quickly. Adaptable employees with strong cognitive adaptability can easily grasp new technologies, workflows, and project requirements, making them valuable assets in any team.

2. Emotional adaptability

Emotional adaptability is the ability to manage one's emotions and maintain a positive attitude in the face of change and uncertainty. This skill is closely linked to emotional intelligence and mental well-being. Professionals with high emotional adaptability are better equipped to handle stress, maintain their composure during challenges, and support their co-workers and team members.

3. Personality adaptability

Personality adaptability refers to the willingness to adjust one's behavior and approach to work based on the needs of the situation. Adaptable people with this important skill are open-minded, flexible, and comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone. They are able to adapt to different leadership styles, communication preferences, and work environments, making them effective collaborators and team players.

4. Interpersonal adaptability

Interpersonal adaptability involves the ability to communicate, collaborate, and work effectively with diverse individuals and groups. The interpersonal skill set includes active listening, empathy, and the capacity to understand and respect different viewpoints. In today's global and often remote work environment, strong interpersonal communication skills are essential for building relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive team culture.

5. Creative problem-solving

Creative problem-solving is the ability to approach challenges with innovation and originality. Adaptable employees with this skill set are able to think outside the box, generate novel ideas, and develop unconventional solutions to complex problems. As organizations face new and unprecedented challenges, creative problem-solving has become an increasingly valuable skill in the workplace.

6. Proactive learning

Proactive learning refers to the willingness to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills to stay current and relevant in one's field. Adaptable professionals with a growth mindset actively seek out learning opportunities, whether through formal training, professional development programs, or self-directed study. By staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, proactive learners are better prepared to adapt to change and take on new roles and responsibilities.

Benefits of adaptability in the workplace

There aren’t many things guaranteed in life, but change is one of them. 

When you show adaptability, you demonstrate that you’re able to handle anything that comes your way. Adaptability is a soft skill that likely won’t make it onto your LinkedIn profile, but it’s often one of the first things your boss looks for when they’re considering you for a promotion or developing you as a leader . 

Here’s what can happen as you become more adaptable:

You’ll build resilience. Challenging yourself doesn’t just help hone problem-solving skills— it actually changes your brain . One way to become more adaptable is to practice facing different sets of challenges and coming up with unique solutions for each. As you continue to face and bounce back from challenge after challenge, you’ll begin to teach your brain that nothing is insurmountable.

It sets you apart. Adaptable people stand out. Instead of feeling stressed under pressure or getting overwhelmed, try finding new approaches and solutions to the problem at hand. Use brainstorming techniques to help you think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. Not only will you become more confident, but you’ll also learn to trust yourself to make difficult decisions and show that you’re a go-to person for more difficult decisions.

Adaptability feels good. Change at work can be stressful. But as you become more adaptable, you’ll start to look for and find solutions more easily. Optimism will become your default. You might find situations that used to stress you out are now exciting or fun to work on.

You’ll build a sought-after leadership skill. When you're adaptable, you can guide your team through different challenges and develop critical thinking skills. You’re able to accept and acknowledge how each team member is different, so you can communicate more effectively. All of which are desired leadership qualities . 

It boosts productivity . When you spend less time worrying about what’s happening in a project, you have more time to think about how to move it forward and take action. As you put more time and energy into these actionable items, you can also help your team become more efficient .

How to develop adaptability skills

Adaptability comes easily for some. But even if it doesn't come naturally to you, it's still something you can develop. Take a look at six tips you can use to build, refine, and grow your adaptability skills through exercises and practice 

1. Improve your problem-solving skills

Problem solving helps you resolve specific issues as they arise. This term can often feel ambiguous, but it’s actually a concrete process comprised of four simple steps:

Identify the problems that need to be solved.

Brainstorm multiple solutions. 

Define the solution.

Implement the solution.

Using a framework like the one above will help you better identify problems so you can strategically come up with a solution. Plus, every time you use these problem-solving skills, you’re making it easier to solve the next one—even if it’s different. Over time, you’ll be adaptable enough to solve any problem that comes up.

Example : Your boss just asked you to drop everything and focus on a new initiative. But you’re already working on a project with a hard deadline. To solve this problem, you reach out to your boss and explain the situation. Together, you both identify a potential solution—in this case, to delegate one of the initiatives you’re working on to another team member. Your adaptability in looking at multiple situations helps you find the best path forward.

2. Learn to embrace change

You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again—you will always need to face change. Or, in the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “Change is the only constant in life.” You can avoid and deny it, but it’s not going to make it go away. 

Learning to embrace and even look forward to change can help you become a more adaptable leader. Teach yourself to embrace any situation by taking more risks and accepting the results, whatever they are. Practice self-care during particularly difficult changes and reach out for support when needed. Above all else, be kind to yourself—even as you learn to embrace it, change is never easy.

Example : Your team just got restructured. This is your third time having to adjust to new team members and responsibilities, and now you’re expected to learn new skills and adjust your work life all over again. 

Instead of feeling frustrated, try appreciating the benefits of this change. Maybe you’re better positioned to move into leadership roles. Or maybe it’s an opportunity to expand your network within your new team. As you learn to embrace changes, both large and small, you’re actively building the muscle to be more adaptable whenever new challenges arise.

3. Keep an open mind

We all have an idea of how we think things should go. This is normal. This type of thinking is a shortcut that helps our brain process information more efficiently. While it can sometimes be beneficial, there are also times when thinking this way closes our minds to new opportunities. That's because you're so focused on what you think should happen that you don't embrace what could happen. Being adaptable is about being willing to pivot.

Exercising your brain can help you become more open-minded when you’re faced with a new situation. Try these tips to develop an open mind:

Ask higher-level questions that go beyond the “what” to the more crucial “why’s” of the situation.

Practice active listening when you’re learning something new. 

Withhold judgements until you have all the information—this includes limiting beliefs about yourself or your capabilities.

Try to think about the current situation from every angle, stretching your mind to include all of the varying possibilities.

Example : You work in content and rely heavily on the design team to supply you with imagery to support your work. After a few months, the designer you’ve been working with starts taking longer to respond and missing deadlines. You become increasingly resentful as you suddenly need to do your job and—in your mind—theirs. 

Instead of holding onto resentment and assumptions, you sit down with the designer to try to understand their perspective. You realize the designer has been under an increasing amount of pressure because someone on their team left suddenly and they’ve been picking up the slack. Because you went into the conversation with an open mind, you’re able to be understanding and come up with a solution. 

Written out like that, it can seem like such a simple solution. But it’s hard to have these types of conversations if you don’t approach a situation with an open mind.

4. Leave your ego at the door

Your ego is your sense of self. If you follow a more philosophical viewpoint, it’s not inherently bad or good; the ego just is . But because it’s naturally self-centered, the ego is not always the most helpful communication tool. Stepping outside of yourself—removing the ego—allows you to see other perspectives more clearly and embrace change. In short, practicing leaving your ego out of the workplace builds on many other adaptability skills.

What is the best way to leave your ego at the door? Take any situation that might normally be frustrating and pause. Take a deep breath. Ask yourself—can you let go of how you think things are supposed to go? And, going one step further, learn to appreciate the result no matter the outcome. If you’re able to accept and even celebrate a wide variety of outcomes, you’re setting an important precedent—that anything is possible. And no matter what, you can adapt and move forward.

Example : Your team recently hosted a creative brainstorming session, but your idea didn't get chosen. It’s normal to feel disappointed. But instead of staying sad about it, you can choose to let it go. Leave your ego at the door and embrace the idea your team has decided to move forward with. In doing so, you’re making it safe for others to express their creativity with even more unique ideas. You’re also teaching yourself that there are multiple solutions to a problem, and you can adapt no matter which one moves forward.

5. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of focusing on the present moment without trying to change anything about it. Instead of jumping in with solutions or ideas, mindfulness allows you to take a step back and reflect on what’s happening. This allows you to be more flexible and appreciate the moment, which makes you more open to change. 

Mindfulness is so important to us here at Asana that we’ve made it one of our core company values . To implement mindfulness in your day-to-day life, try these two steps to acknowledge your emotions and let go of them: 

Put less attention on the past and future. You can’t change something once it happens, but you can accept it. Thinking about what could or should have happened likely won’t help and it might even make things worse. 

Focus on what's happening now. Instead, lean into the situation as it is. This allows you to let go of things outside of your control and pay attention to those things you can change. 

Example : Your IT team installed new software on your laptop that accidentally deleted all your existing files—including a project that was due today. Instead of reacting, you assess the situation objectively, running through the facts. What can you do about it?

Mindfully putting yourself in the moment allows you to begin the process of problem-solving. This can include letting your boss know about the problem, reaching out to IT about a potential cloud backup, and reaching out to team members for any saved files they might have. 

Nothing has changed about the situation. You still lost a lot of hard work. But instead of wasting more time and energy mourning it, you can take action to solve the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.

6. Push yourself out of your comfort zone

Most of us want to stay inside our comfort zone. It’s natural. Our brain likes comfortable experiences and encourages us to seek them out. But if you only do things you’re comfortable with, you won’t be as prepared when changes do inevitably come up.

You can begin to expand your comfort zone with small tweaks. Practice placing yourself in new and challenging situations where you have control over the outcome. It doesn’t have to be jumping out of an airplane. Simple things like taking a new route to work can help you think more creatively and become more flexible. 

Example : Imagine you have an idea for a new project that your team could be working on. But typically, ideas come from your boss—not from you and your coworkers. Instead of waiting for the next rollout from a manager, you could see this as an opportunity to push past your comfort zone.

So, pitch your idea to your boss. It doesn’t matter if they don’t move forward with it. The beauty of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is that the outcome isn’t important. It’s the process that’s most helpful.

Workplace adaptability can create a better work life

For most of us, developing workplace adaptability is an ongoing practice throughout our career. Learning to become more adaptable at work takes time and focus. It’s not as simple as taking a new professional development course or even going for an MBA. 

And that’s ok. This is one of those situations where it’s more about the journey than the end result. Learning soft skills like adaptability may not come with an official certification or be as measurable as hard skills, but they can do just as much—if not more—for your success both as a leader and team member.

FAQ: Adaptability in the workplace

Why is adaptability important in the workplace?

Adaptability is essential in the workplace because it allows employees to navigate change, take on new challenges, and maintain productivity. Being adaptable means adjusting to new situations, such as changes in job descriptions or the introduction of new technologies like Zoom, which promote better teamwork and collaboration.

What is a good example of adaptability?

An example of adaptability is when an employee quickly learns and embraces a new software program to improve remote work collaboration or when a team member takes on additional responsibilities during organizational change.

How do you adapt to sudden changes in the workplace?

To adapt to sudden changes, maintain a positive attitude, stay open-minded, and be proactive in seeking information and resources. Communicate with your team, learn new skills, and prioritize your mental health during times of change.

How can leaders promote adaptability within their teams?

Leaders can promote adaptability by fostering a culture of continuous learning, encouraging open communication, providing opportunities for employees to develop new skills, and supporting their teams during times of transition, such as onboarding new team members.

How can adaptability skills be highlighted in a resume or cover letter?

Highlight adaptability skills in your resume or cover letter by providing specific examples of how you successfully navigated change or took on new challenges in your previous roles. Use phrases like "quickly learned and implemented new software" to demonstrate your adaptability.

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Unlocking the Power of Adaptability: A Deep Dive into Adaptive Leadership

Key takeaways.

Adaptive leadership promotes a culture of continuous learning and growth, viewing challenges as opportunities for evolution and innovation.

Flexibility and responsiveness are central to adaptive leadership, enabling leaders and organizations to effectively navigate change and uncertainty.

Adaptive leadership values diversity of thought, fostering an inclusive environment where varied perspectives lead to more creative problem-solving.

By focusing on tackling complex problems through experimentation and learning from failures, adaptive leadership drives the pursuit of innovative solutions.

Adaptive leadership contributes to building resilient organizations prepared to thrive in diverse and ever-changing environments by promoting flexibility, inclusiveness, and a proactive approach to challenges.

Introduction

In the realm of leadership styles, adaptive leadership emerges as a beacon of innovation and resilience, tailored for today's rapidly evolving landscape. This blog embarks on a profound exploration of adaptive leadership, unwrapping the nuances that make it a cornerstone for modern-day leaders. At its core, adaptive leadership thrives on flexibility, a hunger for learning, and an open-minded approach to change. By delving into its strengths, we illuminate how it not only navigates but thrives amidst uncertainty, fostering environments ripe for innovation and marked by positive outcomes.

Adaptive leadership is characterized by its emphasis on learning and growth. It posits that the journey of a leader is never complete, advocating for an environment where challenges serve as a springboard for development. This perspective nurtures a culture of learning within organizations, transforming potential hurdles into opportunities for advancement.

Flexibility and responsiveness stand at the forefront of adaptive leadership. Unlike traditional models that may cling to predefined plans, adaptive leadership advocates for agility, enabling leaders and their teams to pivot in response to unforeseen challenges effectively. This agility is paramount in today’s dynamic world, where change is the only constant.

Another pillar is the encouragement of diverse perspectives. Adaptive leadership recognizes the value in harnessing insights from a broad spectrum of voices. This inclusive approach not only enriches problem-solving processes but also fosters a culture of respect and collaboration.

Complex problems often require nuanced solutions, and adaptive leadership is adept at tackling such challenges. It eschews linear thinking in favor of a more fluid, experimental approach, recognizing that failure is often a stepping stone to success. This mindset is instrumental in addressing systemic issues that defy simple solutions.

The approach also plays a crucial role in developing resilient organizational cultures. In an era marked by rapid changes, fostering resilience ensures organizations not only survive but thrive. Adaptive leadership encourages adaptability and learning, essential ingredients for resilience.

Innovation is deeply ingrained in the DNA of adaptive leadership. It champions new ideas and embraces calculated risks, creating an environment where creativity blossoms. This commitment to innovation keeps organizations competitive, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements.

The real-world applications of adaptive leadership span various sectors, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness. From healthcare's swift adaptation to global crises to education's pivot to online learning models, adaptive leadership proves integral in managing change and driving forward progress. In the technology sector, it fosters a culture that embraces constant evolution, ensuring products and services remain at the cutting edge.

Navigating the challenges of modern organizations requires more than just traditional strategies; it demands a mindset embodied by adaptive leadership. Encouraging open dialogue, embracing experimentation, fostering diversity of thought, and cultivating resilience are strategies that underpin success in this approach. Adaptive leaders lead by example, prioritizing continuous learning and flexibility. This leadership style is not static; it is an evolving journey that adapts to the shifting landscapes of challenges and opportunities.

In essence, adaptive leadership stands out as a powerful approach in the vast spectrum of leadership styles. Through its unique strengths, it addresses the complexities of the modern world, steering organizations towards success. By embracing adaptability, inclusivity, and innovation, adaptive leadership not only paves the way for overcoming challenges but also sets the stage for a future where organizations are resilient, dynamic, and continuously evolving. For current and aspiring leaders alike, understanding and integrating the principles of adaptive leadership could very well be the key to unlocking unprecedented growth and achievement in an ever-changing world.

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Defining Adaptive Leadership and Its Unique Strengths

Adaptive leadership is a dynamic approach that stands out in the evolving landscape of leadership styles. It prioritizes flexibility, learning, and responsiveness to change, setting a strong foundation for effective leadership in today's complex and fast-paced world. This approach offers unique strengths that can be particularly beneficial in environments characterized by uncertainty and rapid transformation. Here, we delve into the question: What is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach? By examining its key characteristics and advantages, we can uncover how it fosters resilience, promotes innovation, and drives positive outcomes across various settings.

Emphasis on Learning and Growth:Adaptive leadership is grounded in the belief that continuous learning is integral to effective leadership. Leaders who embrace this style are committed to their personal development as well as fostering growth in those around them. This creates a culture of learning within organizations, where challenges are viewed as opportunities to evolve.

Flexibility and Responsiveness:One of the hallmark strengths of adaptive leadership is its focus on flexibility. Adaptive leaders are adept at navigating change, making adjustments as needed rather than adhering rigidly to a single plan. This agility enables organizations to respond more effectively to unexpected challenges and opportunities.

Encouragement of Diverse Perspectives:Adaptive leadership values the input of team members at all levels and from all backgrounds. By actively seeking out varied viewpoints, adaptive leaders can gather a broad range of insights, leading to more creative and well-rounded solutions to problems.

Capacity to Tackle Complex Problems:This leadership style is well-suited for addressing complex, systemic challenges that don't have clear-cut solutions. Adaptive leaders recognize the importance of experimenting, learning from failures, and persistently pursuing success.

Fostering a Resilient Organizational Culture:Adaptive leadership contributes to the creation of resilient organizations. By promoting flexibility, continuous learning, and inclusive decision-making, it helps organizations to not only survive but thrive amid change.

Innovation as a Core Tenet:At its core, adaptive leadership encourages innovation. Leaders who practice adaptability are more likely to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and encourage creativity among those they lead, driving progress and keeping organizations competitive.

Through examining what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach, it's clear that this style offers a versatile and effective framework for navigating the complexities of modern leadership. By embracing adaptability, learning, and inclusivity, leaders can unlock the potential of their teams and organizations, fostering environments where innovation and resilience lead to sustained success. Whether leading a small team or an entire organization, adaptive leadership provides a roadmap for addressing challenges head-on while building a culture that is prepared for whatever the future may hold.

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Adaptive Leadership in Action: Benefits and Real-World Applications

When exploring what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach, we uncover its far-reaching benefits and the tangible impact it has in the real world. This leadership style not only promotes resilience and innovation but also drives positive outcomes across varied environments.

Enables swift adaptation to change: Adaptive leadership empowers leaders and their teams to quickly adjust strategies in response to changing circumstances. This agility is crucial in today's fast-paced world, where organizations must pivot to stay ahead.

Cultivates a culture of resilience: By espousing flexibility and learning from challenges, adaptive leaders build resilient organizations. This resilience is key to not just surviving but thriving in the face of adversity.

Enhances problem-solving through diverse perspectives: Adaptive leadership stresses the importance of incorporating a wide range of viewpoints. This approach leads to more creative and effective solutions, as varied perspectives offer a richer understanding of issues.

Encourages innovation and creativity: A hallmark of adaptive leadership is its focus on innovation. Leaders who encourage experimentation and risk-taking foster an environment where new ideas flourish, driving progress.

Real-world applications of adaptive leadership showcase its benefits. In sectors as diverse as healthcare, education, and technology, leaders have successfully applied this approach to navigate complex challenges and achieve noteworthy outcomes. For instance, in healthcare, adaptive leadership has been pivotal in managing the rapid changes and uncertainty brought about by global health crises. Leaders in this sector have had to swiftly adapt policies and procedures to ensure patient safety, demonstrating the practical value of flexibility and rapid response capabilities.

In education, adaptive leadership has enabled institutions to transition to online learning models, ensuring continuity in education despite immense logistical challenges. The embrace of new teaching methods and technologies exemplifies the adaptive leader's capacity for innovation and problem-solving in uncharted territories.

Moreover, in the technology sector, adaptive leadership drives the continuous evolution of products and services. Leaders in this space regularly face the challenge of staying ahead in a highly competitive and fast-moving environment. By fostering a culture of learning and encouraging their teams to explore new ideas, these leaders maintain their edge and push boundaries.

Through these examples, it becomes clear why adaptive leadership is so effective. It not only equips organizations with the tools to manage change but also encourages a proactive stance towards innovation and problem-solving. By valuing flexibility, continuous learning, and diversity of thought, adaptive leadership creates a fertile ground for growth and resilience. This approach underpins the capability of teams and organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern landscape, making it a powerful asset in any leader's toolkit.

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Navigating Challenges with Adaptive Leadership: Strategies for Success

Adaptive leadership emerges as a beacon of guidance in navigating through the challenges that modern organizations face. The intricacies of operating in a dynamic environment demand more than traditional leadership approaches can offer. This is where adaptive leadership, with its core strengths, provides a blueprint for success. Exploring what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach reveals its profound impact on overcoming hurdles while steering towards prosperity.

One of the most compelling aspects of adaptive leadership is its inherent capability to mould strategies and plans to fit the evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities. This flexibility is not just about surviving; it's about thriving by turning obstacles into stepping stones. Let's delve into the strategies for success underpinned by this leadership style:

Encourage Open Dialogue:Open channels of communication allow for the exchange of ideas and feedback, creating a rich soil in which innovation can flourish. It breaks down barriers and silos, fostering a united front against challenges.

Embrace Experimentation:Adaptive leadership thrives on trial and error. By encouraging teams to venture into uncharted waters, it promotes a culture where learning from failure is as valuable as success, driving innovation forward.

Foster Diversity of Thought:Leveraging varied perspectives within a team enhances problem-solving capabilities. Adaptive leadership harnesses this diversity, unlocking creative solutions that might not emerge in a more homogenous group.

Cultivate Resilience:Resilience is the backbone of adaptability. Nurturing a culture that rebounds from setbacks and views challenges as opportunities for growth is crucial for sustained success.

Lead by Example:Adaptive leaders are not just directors; they are participants. By embodying the very flexibility and openness they advocate, leaders can inspire their teams to embrace change with optimism.

Prioritize Continuous Learning:In a world where the only constant is change, a commitment to lifelong learning ensures that leaders and their teams remain at the forefront of their fields. Adaptive leadership embeds this ethos into the fabric of the organization.

By integrating these strategies, leaders can effectively navigate the complexities that come their way. However, it's important to recognize that adaptive leadership is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The context within which it is applied greatly influences its effectiveness. Challenges such as resistance to change within an organization or the confrontation of deeply entrenched industry norms can put to test the adaptive leader's resolve and ingenuity.

Moreover, the journey of implementing adaptive leadership is marked by continuous refinement. It demands an openness to feedback and a willingness to course-correct when necessary. This iterative process underscores the notion that adaptability is not just a strategy but a mindset. It is about viewing the organization not as a static entity but as a living, evolving organism that must adjust to its environment to not only survive but flourish.

In essence, what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach is its profound ability to guide organizations through the murky waters of change. It equips leaders with the tools and mindset necessary to turn adversities into advantages. Through its emphasis on flexibility, open dialogue, and continuous learning, adaptive leadership offers a path to building organizations that are not just resilient but are also vibrant, innovative communities poised for success in an ever-changing world. The journey is undoubtedly challenging, but the rewards of fostering such adaptability are immense, ensuring that organizations remain relevant, responsive, and ready to face the future, whatever it may hold.

Adaptive leadership emerges as a standout approach amidst a broad spectrum of leadership styles, skillfully addressing the complexities and demands of the modern professional landscape. In our exploration of "what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach," we've uncovered a plethora of invaluable insights. This approach distinguishes itself through its embracement of flexibility, continuous learning, and an inclusive culture that together forge paths towards resilience, innovation, and robust outcomes in the face of diversity and change.

Key to the adaptive leadership model is its unwavering commitment to learning and growth. By positioning continuous development at the heart of their ethos, adaptive leaders not only elevate their personal capabilities but also inspire their teams to pursue growth relentlessly. This culture of learning transforms challenges into valuable opportunities for organizational evolution, ensuring that both leaders and teams remain at the cutting edge of their domains.

Flexibility and responsiveness stand as core pillars of adaptive leadership. This agility enables leaders to navigate through uncertainty and change with grace, adjusting strategies to meet evolving circumstances. Such dynamic responsiveness is crucial in today’s fast-paced environment, allowing organizations to maintain momentum and seize opportunities that arise from unforeseen challenges.

Moreover, adaptive leadership’s encouragement of diverse perspectives enriches decision-making processes. By valuing contributions from all levels within the organization, leaders harness a wealth of insights, fostering creativity and innovation. This inclusivity not only enhances problem-solving capabilities but also bolsters team cohesion and morale.

Addressing complex problems with nuance and creativity is another hallmark of adaptive leadership. This approach recognizes that not all challenges have straightforward solutions, advocating for experimentation, learning from failures, and adopting a resilient mindset in pursuit of success.

Notably, adaptive leadership also amplifies innovation. Leaders who embody this style create environments that nurture new ideas and encourage calculated risk-taking. Such climates are primed for breakthroughs, keeping organizations competitive and forward-thinking.

Our journey through the landscape of adaptive leadership highlights its profound capacity to shape resilient, innovative, and inclusive organizational cultures. The real-world applications of this approach, across various sectors, exemplify its effectiveness in driving positive change and achieving substantial outcomes. Leaders adept in adaptive practices ensure their organizations are not just surviving but thriving amidst the complexities of contemporary business environments.

In integrating strategies that prioritize open dialogue, experimentation, diversity of thought, and continuous learning, adaptive leadership proves itself as a versatile and powerful tool for navigating the intricacies of modern challenges. It serves as a testament to the fact that adaptability is not merely a strategy but a mindset crucial for fostering organizations capable of withstanding turbulence and spearheading progress.

In conclusion, the exploration of "what is a strength of the adaptive leadership approach" reveals a multifaceted framework that equips leaders to effectively navigate the evolving demands of leadership. By championing adaptability, continuous growth, and inclusivity, adaptive leadership not only propels organizations towards achieving their immediate goals but also sets them on a trajectory of long-term success and resilience. For current and aspiring leaders alike, the adaptive leadership approach offers insightful strategies and practices to cultivate environments where innovation thrives, and challenges are transformed into stepping stones for advancement. It is clear that in the dynamic tapestry of leadership styles, adaptive leadership holds a crucial role, guiding teams and organizations through the complexities of change towards a prosperous and vibrant future.

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Leading Change: Adaptive Leadership Traits - Discover how adaptive leadership traits catalyze transformation, fostering flexibility and resilience in dynamic organizational landscapes.

Adaptive Leadership for Organizational Success - Discover how the model of adaptive leadership drives organizational success and transformation, fostering flexibility and resilience in changing times.

Adaptability: Strength for Resilient Leadership - Discover the integral role of adaptability as a strength in fostering resilient leadership. Embrace change and lead with confidence for a successful future.

Adaptive Leadership Strategies for Success - Discover how adaptive leadership strategies equip leaders to navigate and thrive in rapid changes, driving transformation and success in organizations.

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POWERING WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE

1 april, 2022, novel and adaptive thinking in organisations.

What is adaptive thinking and leadership?

Perhaps the most widely used definition of adaptive thinking comes from the Swedish psychological researcher of expertise K. Anders Ericsson. In Ericsson’s view, adaptive thinking utilises one’s ability to “recognise unexpected situations, quickly consider various possible responses, and decide on the best one”. Adaptive leadership, meanwhile, is a model that involves readying a company’s employees to better handle the process of change and positively react to challenges as they crop up.

To develop novel and adaptive thinking in the workplace, it is essential for your company to practice adaptive leadership at a managerial level. By doing so, this focus on situational awareness and flexibility will, over time, become part of the organisational DNA.

Promoting novel and adaptive thinking in the workplace

In the modern workplace, change occurs at a continually increasing pace. The need for fresh, agile approaches to thinking and problem-solving is clearer than ever, making this a skillset highly valued by forward-thinking companies. Understanding how you can foster adaptive mindsets in your organisation is essential to succeeding and creating a foundation for long-term growth.

The importance of adaptive mindsets

In DeakinCo.’s newly-published report The Business Return on Learning and Development , developed in partnership with Deloitte Access Economics, a survey of businesses found that adaptability and flexibility was considered to be one of the top five skills gaps. Soft skills such as these that rely on effective communication, teamwork and problem solving are unable to be automated and thus their importance continues to grow.

Qualities of adaptive leadership

Introduced by Harvard professors and leadership theory experts Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz, the adaptive leadership model emphasises four key qualities needed to thrive in today’s world of business:

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability of a person to recognise and understand not just their own emotions and feelings, but those of others as well.

Organisational justice

This quality refers to the degree to which employees view a workplace’s sense of fairness through its decision-making processes. Adaptive leaders foster the development of honesty and integrity throughout a company, and make sure that the input of others is appreciated and valued.

Leadership character

An adaptive leader works in a flexible and transparent manner, leading with empathy and embracing diversity. Importantly, adaptive leadership requires the ability to recognise when an approach is not working, as well as the trust and confidence needed to abandon this and start afresh.

Team development

An adaptive leader provides the resources and support necessary to nurture a culture of organisational growth and empowerment.

Challenges of implementing adaptive thinking

Though the benefits of adaptive thinking are clear, the conditions that require its presence – transformational change, for instance – can also create anxiety and fear, leading us to stick with what has worked previously rather than challenging our preconceived notions. Labelled the “adaptability paradox” in a recent article by McKinsey consultants, there are a number of steps you can take to help reorient your workplace in a positive direction.

Constant learning

Establishing a culture that prizes perpetual learning at the individual and organisational levels is crucial to developing an adaptive thinking mindset.

Shift in thinking

Adaptive thinking can often require a systemic change in the way a company problem solves and approaches challenges. Having the trust and belief of your employees to make such a seismic shift is essential.

Change of values

Implementing adaptive thinking across an organisation generally necessitates a change in company values. Clear and consistent communication is key to this.

Culture of innovation

Being able to abandon the tried and tested methods in favour of a culture of innovation can prove to be difficult and requires the integration of a curious and determined approach to problem solving.

Benefits of adaptive thinking and leadership

Adaptive mindsets are beneficial not just on a company level, but also at an individual one. Here are some of these key benefits.

Leadership expects change and disruption, rather than reacting to it

Instead of avoiding uncertainty, adaptive leaders embrace it and view it as an opportunity for growth. This positive attitude can inspire employees to do the same.

Leaders embrace a diversity of often conflicting opinions

The benefit of seeing a problem from every angle is that a particular solution’s opportunity cost can be better understood.

A flexible organisation that can sometimes bend the rules

By emphasising an adaptive mindset, a company can increase buy-in on decisions that might seem to fly in the face of previously established rules of thumb – provided the potential benefit is clearly communicated.

An organisation that doesn’t emphasise hierarchy and top-down leadership

The flexibility in adaptive thinking can carry over into decision-making processes, where a solution is valued on its own merits rather than who said it.

Leaders respond to employees’ emotional needs

Adaptive leaders realise that not all employees react similarly during times of intense change, and are able to provide the guidance needed to help them view these as opportunities for growth.

Leaders delegate work according to employees’ strengths

Collaborating in groups of people with different skills and areas of expertise, and delegating work based on these strengths, is an elemental ingredient of adaptive thinking.

High-achieving employees are empowered with autonomy

Employees who respond best to this increased freedom are given the space and time to thrive.

How to develop adaptive thinking in organisations

There aren’t any shortcuts when it comes to developing an adaptive thinking culture in a company. However, several steps can be taken to make the transition easier.

Demonstrate how employees exercise adaptive thinking

A great way of integrating adaptive mindsets is to provide examples, if possible, of how your employees already use these skills in their day-to-day tasks.

Promote opportunities for adaptive thinking in non-critical decisions

Providing employees with the freedom to think expansively and creatively in low-pressure scenarios is pivotal. This will help instil the confidence necessary to react quickly and positively during more challenging times.

Discourage impulsive decision making

Give employees the time and space to synthesise new and existing information so that they can see the benefits of thoughtful and considered problem-solving.

Encourage open-mindedness

If an employee has an unconventional yet possibly beneficial idea, explore its potential! Encourage others to apply heterodox and agile solutions to commonplace problems.

Start fostering adaptive mindsets in your organisation

With our corporate training , DeakinCo. is able to deliver personalised training in technical and soft skills, including leadership skills and innovation . Whether it be an individual course or a complete training program, DeakinCo. has what your company needs to succeed.

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Adaptive Thinking: The Best Way to Deal With Unexpected Situations

• Self-improvement

For a long time, thinking, good thinking, has been primarily outsourced to reading books. “Just immerse yourself in books, and voila! You’ll become a cerebral wizard, possessing enough brainpower to save humanity from its inevitable doom!” But is reading heavy bricks with dense material enough to become a great thinker? Can this tactic equip you with adept decision-making in an ever-evolving world?

Sure, the usual process of thinking – producing thoughts based on the information you consume – works in most situations.

But what if you are a fighter pilot and enemy planes are fastly approaching?

You can’t rely solely on what you know and the initial thoughts your brain produces to stay alive. You need adaptive thinking to survive.

In this installment, we are observing the need to develop adaptive thinking and how to actually do it.

It’s more than just a thinking strategy, it’s a skill that can help you overcome all kinds of day-to-day problems.

What is Adaptive Thinking?

We can easily label adaptive thinking as critical thinking on steroids. Or if we can rephrase the words from the author who wrote the deliberate practice book , adaptive thinking is the ability to recognize unexpected situations, quickly consider various possible responses, and decide on the best one.

Applying adaptive thinking in our everyday life is becoming more and more important. Not only if we want to survive the unexpected obstacles that arise on a daily basis. But also if we want to thrive in our field of choice.

Why did I mention that adaptive thinking is critical thinking but boosted?

Well, if critical thinking is the ability to be exceptionally rational. Adaptive thinking is the same logic-applying skill, but doing it at high speed.

Here’s an example…

Imagine that you are a surgeon who is in the middle of an operation. You check the box of being rational and smart – after all, you made it as a surgeon. But is this enough to handle all medical procedures?

Not at all.

Surely you’ll have a plan about how a typical operation should unfold. But what if something unexpected happens?

Your smartness won’t serve you any good if you can’t apply what you’ve learned during all these years in medical school – and not only – ultra-fast.

You need to quickly switch gears if the situation requires it in order to save the life of the patient.

That’s the main advantage of adaptive thinking. You are smart not because you know a lot of things. You are smart because you can apply what you know quickly in an unexpected situation.

Examples of Adaptive Thinking

Every time adaptive thinking is mentioned, this surely involves also mentioning the Vietnam War.

Here’s why:

The US Navy fighter pilots were taking great losses during the Vietnam War.

The North Vietnamese airmen were taking down US jets like they were sitting idle.

This inspired the creation of the now-famous Top Gun school. A program that focused exclusively on failure and then learning from that failure.

In particular, Top Gun School allowed fighters to learn how to act quickly in a dangerous environment with many unknowns. They pushed themselves and their planes to the edge and learned how to best respond to different scenarios. All of this was supervised and coordinated by the finest aviators at the time.

That’s the gist of how the term adaptive thinking was born.

But what about a more down-to-earth example?

Not everyone is flying a plane and hopefully, no one will ever need to engage in an air dogfight again in the future.

Another example of adaptive thinking everyone can relate to is talking to a client.

Sure, this sounds not harmful at all, but the situation can quickly evolve and throw you off balance.

For example, what if the person on the other end of the phone asks a question you don’t know the answer to? Or, what if the conversation gets heated and you have a mad man throwing verbal flames at you?

In conditions like these, the usual script will no longer work. You need to wake up your creative brain or your emotions will consume you – you will start arguing back or start silently crying. Alternatively, you can bolster your adaptive thinking and handle the situations with grace – quickly analyze all the appropriate responses and decide which one will work best in the changing conditions.

It’s kinda like playing chess in your head. You consider the different options and see which one will result in a checkmate.

How Do You Develop Adaptive Thinking?

Harnessing the power of adaptive thinking requires work and open-mindedness.

The biggest blocker that can stop you from having a good response to an unexpected situation is not letting your mind wander .

When we let our thoughts drift. We can find alternative and better solutions to the problems we are facing.

Usually, we are locked in our heads. Never exploring what is actually possible (the so-called unknown unknowns ). Only using what we already know is possible.

When you explore, you find alternative options. When you know the variations, you can find the best response to an unpredictable situation.

But let’s explore this further…

To become prolific in your thinking. To master adaptive thinking. We need to acquire these 3 components:

Adaptive Thinking Skills:

The skills you need to become adept addaptive thinker are these:

1. Detailed Planning

2. what can go wrong, 3. staying calm under pressure.

Let’s look at them one by one.

This deserves a longer treatment, but here’s the short version: Plan in advance how you envision a task.

• You’re about to talk with a new client?
• You are about to disassemble your laptop so you can clean it and look what’s inside?
• You are preparing to go on a hike in an unexplored area?

Sit down and write everything you need for your task to become successful.

How do you imagine going through the whole task? Think about every little detail. Imagine actually doing the task in your head.

This is what runners do before every race. They mentally go through the course and think about what will happen during the race.

All of this preparation helps you figure out what is needed for the task to become successful. Plus, it allows you to spot what can go wrong.

Rarely do things happen the way we plan. The best form of planning is having a plan if things fail.

• What the client might ask that can derail you from your script?
• What can go wrong when you are toying with your laptop?
• What’s the worst that can happen when you are up in the mountains?

Have a plan for these situations.

And even more importantly, have a backup plan on your backup plan.

We are surprised – and often terrified – by unexpected situations because we never thought about them.

Sure, everyone can conquer a peak if the weather is nice and there are no bears in the woods. But few will survive if the conditions drastically change.

Preparing for the things that can go wrong will reduce the chances of failure and increase the chances of survival when things move from good to terrifying.

In this step, being a curious explorer is an important advantage. Curiosity of what can go wrong can help you find solutions to potential problems even before they occur.

No matter how intentional you are about the planning of the things you do. No matter how obediently you follow Murphy’s Law – preparing diligently for all the stuff that could go wrong. Things will inevitably go wrong that even Nostradamus couldn’t have successfully predicted.

And when they do, calmness is your best friend.

As Daniel Goleman notes in his book Emotional Intelligence , there is a thing called emotional hijacking. In plain English, this means that your emotions block your ability to think.

For example, say that someone cuts you while you drive. Your immediate reaction is to use a language we usually hear in rap songs. But how is this helping in the situation?

It’s not. It can even worsen it.

Emotional hijacking blocks our ability to think. Therefore, we respond using our basic emotions – annoyance, resentfulness, anger. 1

Anger, fear, even positive sensation disable our ability to think clearly.

And thinking clearly and thinking fast, are skills you need at your disposal all the time.

Think about it for a moment. If you are a neurosurgeon and if suddenly the operation you are performing takes a dramatic turn – an unexpected artery starts bleeding – how will anger help you?

Screaming at the patient won’t magically cure him.

How to Improve Adaptive Thinking?

Developing adaptive thinking does not improve it. We also need a plan to further foster our adaptive thinking skills.

One main reason the Top Gun academy turned out to be a huge success was due to their problem-solving approach.

Students were practicing, getting feedback, and improving on their feedback.

But there was one extra component that allowed pilots to become exceptionally good air fighters – building a library of case studies.

When they were in the air training, they weren’t using bullets and missiles – obviously. Instead, their planes were equipped with cameras to record each encounter. Every training session was recorded and later observed by the entire crew.

The discussions on the videos were invaluable for every pilot. In a sense, they were creating a library of case studies in their heads about how to respond to different situations.

For instance, discussing the situation and answering questions like:

• What happened? Why did it happen?
• Why your response was good? Why it was bad? How it can be better?
• What we can do to prevent similar mistakes in the future?

Dry theory can help you get the essential elements when you do something. But what you really need is real-world examples that show you how to solve problems.

This is observed in every profession.

An accountant with 10 years of experience might not be that great at what he does. But he surely knows a lot more than a person with 1 year of experience. The reason is simple: The first person has been exposed to more problems. He has an elaborate bibliotheca of problems he can refer to when something unexpected happens.

The skills that make a professional, professional. Are not solely based on how versed he is with the information in textbooks. But how he handles situations that are not mentioned in the textbooks.

In this line of thought, to further improve your adaptive thinking, you should: Create artificial situations where you encounter real problems and think about different ways to solve them.

Adaptive Thinking Strategy

Ultimately, adaptive thinking is changing your usual behavior, fast, in response to an unexpected situation.

During a large part of our days, we are on autopilot. Doing the same things. Thinking the same thoughts.

Adaptive thinking is a way to respond in a good way to something you are not sure how to act. Basically, it adds freshness to your usual way of thinking.

A simple to follow strategy is the following:

• Understand the complexity of the problem you are dealing with.
• Be vigilant so you can recognize immediately a change in the environment.
• Implement a new strategy, different from the initially planned scenario, based on the new changes with calmness.

Above all, you should be comfortable with uncomfortable situations and adopt the idea that you will never be fully prepared. There will always be something you don’t know how to do. But this should never discourage you from moving forward.

Some Closing Thoughts

No longer only leaders of large organizations are in need of adaptive thinking.

Our dynamic world requires everyone to learn how to navigate in complex situations and adjust based on the fast-paced environment.

I became increasingly more concerned – and interested – about whether my thinking in the moment is good. (That’s why I also explored the main types of thinking , how to think better , and what to think about .)

Do I jump quickly to conclusions that are sound, or do I end up making decisions based on my emotions?

The whole process involves sober investigation.

But what thing is certain, it also requires a lot of reading. A lot of studying. A lot of deliberate practice .

Observe what others do – how others think – when they enter shitty situations. This will help you expand your portfolio of case studies and thus allow you to better respond to unexpected situations.

“I insist on a lot of time being spent, almost every day, to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. I read and think. So I do more reading and thinking, and make less impulse decisions than most people in business.” Warren Buffett

Add to your mental toolset by reading the following:

• How To Integrate The 16 Habits of Mind Into Your Daily Life
• Thinking In 3D : A Better Way To Solve Complex Problems
• Critical Thinking Process (Or Acting Wisely Even If You’re Not Very Bright)
• The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking

Hey, did you find the above insightful?

You did? I’m blushing. If you want to stay in the loop for new articles, more deep dives fostering long-term thinking in a world driven by impatience, you can subscribe via the form below (over 4,500 curious minds already did).

• Bariso, Justin. What Is an Emotional Hijack? How Learning the Answer Made Me a Better Husband, Father, and Worker. Available at: https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/what-is-an-emotional-hijack-how-emotional-intelligence-made-me-a-better-husband-father-worker.html

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Mastering Adaptability: Key Traits of an Adaptive Mind and How to Cultivate Them

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, having an adaptive mind is a crucial skill for success. An adaptive mind allows individuals to effectively navigate through uncertainty, overcome challenges, and thrive in dynamic environments. But what exactly does it mean to have an adaptive mind? And how can one cultivate this invaluable trait? In this article, we will explore the key traits of an adaptive mind and provide practical tips on how to develop them.

Openness to Change

One of the fundamental traits of an adaptive mind is openness to change. Individuals with this trait embrace new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. They understand that change is inevitable and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones.

To cultivate openness to change, start by challenging your existing beliefs and assumptions. Seek out diverse opinions and perspectives that differ from your own. Engage in activities that expose you to new experiences or cultures. This could be as simple as reading books outside your usual genre or traveling to unfamiliar destinations.

Additionally, practice mindfulness and self-reflection. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions when faced with change or uncertainty. By developing a mindset that embraces novelty, you will be better equipped to adapt in any situation.

Resilience is another critical trait of an adaptive mind. It refers to the ability to bounce back from setbacks, failures, or adversity. Resilient individuals view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

To build resilience, it is important to develop a positive mindset. Focus on the lessons learned from failures rather than dwelling on the negative aspects. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you during difficult times.

Additionally, take care of your physical well-being through regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and sufficient sleep. Physical health plays a significant role in mental resilience.

Continuous Learning

An adaptive mind is always hungry for knowledge and seeks opportunities for continuous learning. Individuals with this trait understand the importance of staying updated and adapting to new trends, technologies, and information.

To foster a mindset of continuous learning, make it a habit to read books, articles, or blogs related to your field of interest. Attend workshops, conferences, or webinars to expand your knowledge and network with like-minded individuals. Engage in online courses or enroll in formal education programs that align with your career goals.

Furthermore, seek feedback from others to identify areas for improvement. Embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to grow and enhance your skills. By consistently seeking new knowledge and refining your abilities, you will become more adaptable in any given situation.

Problem-Solving Skills

Having strong problem-solving skills is essential for an adaptive mind. It involves the ability to analyze complex situations, think critically, and come up with innovative solutions.

To develop problem-solving skills, practice approaching challenges from different angles. Break down complex problems into smaller manageable tasks. Engage in brainstorming sessions with colleagues or friends to gather diverse perspectives on possible solutions.

Additionally, embrace creativity by exploring alternative approaches or thinking outside the box. Sometimes the most innovative solutions come from unconventional thinking.

Mastering adaptability is a lifelong journey that requires constant self-reflection and growth. By cultivating traits such as openness to change, resilience, continuous learning, and problem-solving skills, you can develop an adaptive mind that thrives in today’s ever-changing world. Embrace new experiences, learn from failures, seek knowledge relentlessly, and approach challenges with a creative mindset. With these traits at your disposal, you will be well-prepared to navigate through uncertainty and seize opportunities for success.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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Ways of thinking in STEM-based problem solving

• Original Paper
• Open access
• Published: 03 March 2023
• Volume 55 , pages 1219–1230, ( 2023 )

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• Lyn D. English   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9118-2812 1  

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This article proposes an interconnected framework, Ways of thinking in STEM-based Problem Solving , which addresses cognitive processes that facilitate learning, problem solving, and interdisciplinary concept development. The framework comprises critical thinking, incorporating critical mathematical modelling and philosophical inquiry, systems thinking, and design-based thinking, which collectively contribute to adaptive and innovative thinking. It is argued that the pinnacle of this framework is learning innovation, involving the generation of powerful disciplinary knowledge and thinking processes that can be applied to subsequent problem challenges. Consideration is first given to STEM-based problem solving with a focus on mathematics. Mathematical and STEM-based problems are viewed here as goal-directed, multifaceted experiences that (1) demand core, facilitative ways of thinking, (2) require the development of productive and adaptive ways to navigate complexity, (3) enable multiple approaches and practices, (4) recruit interdisciplinary solution processes, and (5) facilitate the growth of learning innovation. The nature, role, and contributions of each way of thinking in STEM-based problem solving and learning are then explored, with their interactions highlighted. Examples from classroom-based research are presented, together with teaching implications.

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1 Introduction

With the prevailing emphasis on integrated STEM education, the power of mathematical problem solving has been downplayed. Over two decades we have witnessed a decline in research on mathematical problem solving and thinking, with more questions than answers emerging (English & Gainsburg, 2016 ; Lester & Cai, 2016 ). This is of major concern, especially since work and non-work life increasingly call for resources beyond “textbook” problem solving (Chin et al., 2019 ; Krause et al., 2021 ). Such changing demands could not have been more starkly exposed than in the recent COVID 19 crisis, where mathematics played a crucial role in public and personal discourse, in describing and modelling current and potential scenarios, and in explaining and justifying societal regulations and restrictions. As Krause et al. ( 2021 ) highlighted, “No mathematical task we can create could be a richer application of mathematics than this real situation” (p. 88).

Modelling and statistical analyses that led the search for strategies to “flatten the curve” with minimal social or economic detriment were prominent in the media (Rhodes & Lancaster, 2020 ; Rhodes et al., 2020 ). As nations strive to rebuild their economies including grappling with crippling energy costs, advanced modelling again plays a key role (Aviso et al., 2022 ; Oxford Economics, 2022 ; Teng et al., 2022 ). Unfortunately, the gap between the mathematical modelling applied during the pandemic and how the public interpreted the models has been “palpable and evident” (Aguilar & Castaneda, 2021 ). Sadly, as Di Martino (Krause et al., 2021 ) pointed out regarding his nation:

People’s reactions in this pandemic underlined the spread of a widely negative attitude toward mathematics among the adult population in Italy. We have witnessed the proliferation of strange, unscientific, and dangerous theories but also the risk of refusing to approach facts that involve math and the resulting dependence to fully rely on others when mathematics is used to justify decisions. Also, on this occasion many people showed their own fear of math and their rejection of mathematical arguments as relevant factors in justification (p. 93).

This heightened visibility of mathematics in society coupled with a general lack of mathematical literacy sparked major questions about the repercussions for education and research (Bakker & Wagner, 2020 ; Kollosche & Meyerhöfer, 2021 ). One such repercussion is the need to reconsider perspectives on STEM-based problem solving and how different ways of thinking can enhance or hinder solutions. With reference to engineering education, Dalal et al. ( 2021 ) indicated how numerous calls for a focus on ways of thinking have largely been taken for granted or at least treated at a superficial level. As these authors pointed out, while perceived as a theoretical concept, ways of thinking “can and should be used in practice as a structure for solution-oriented outlooks and innovation” (p. 109).

Given the above points, I propose an interconnected framework, Ways of thinking in STEM-based Problem Solving (Fig.  1 ), which addresses cognitive processes that facilitate learning, problem solving, decision-making, and interdisciplinary concept development (cf. Slavit et al., 2021 ). The framework comprises critical thinking (including critical mathematical modelling and philosophical inquiry), systems thinking, and design-based thinking. Collectively, these thinking skills contribute to adaptive and innovative thinking (McKenna, 2014 ) and ultimately lead to the development of learning innovation (Sect.  3.4 ; English, 2018 ).

These thinking skills have been chosen because of their potential to enhance STEM-based problem solving and interdisciplinary concept development (English et al., 2020 ; Park et al., 2018 ; Slavit et al., 2021 ). Highlighting these ways of thinking, however, is not denying the importance of other thinking skills such as creativity, which is incorporated within the adaptive and innovative thinking component of the proposed framework (Fig.  1 ), and is considered multidimensional in nature (OECD, 2022 ). Other key skills such as communication and collaboration (Stehle & Peters-Burton, 2019 ) are acknowledged but not explored here.

In line with Dalal et al. ( 2021 ), I consider the proposed ways of thinking as providing an organisational structure both individually and interactively when enacted in practice—notwithstanding the contextual and instructional influences that can have an impact here (Slavit et al., 2022 ). Prior to exploring these ideas, I consider STEM-based problem solving with a focus on mathematics.

2 STEM-based problem solving: a focus on mathematics

Within our STEM-intensive society, we face significant challenges in promoting STEM education from the earliest grades while also maintaining the integrity of the individual disciplines (Tytler, 2016 ). With the increasing need for STEM skills across multiple workforce domains, contrasted with difficulties in STEM implementation in many schools (e.g., Dong et al., 2020 ), the urgency to advance STEM education has never been greater. With the massive disruption caused by COVID-19, coupled with problematic international relations, our school students’ futures have become even more uncertain—we cannot ignore the rapid changes that will continue to impact their lives. Unlike business and industry, where disruption creates a “force-to-innovate” approach (Crittenden, 2017 , p. 14), much of school education seems oblivious to preparing students for these disruptive forces or at least are restricted in doing so by set curricula.

Preparing our students for an increasingly uncertain and complex future requires rethinking the nature of their learning experiences, in particular, the need for more relevant and innovative problems that are challenging but manageable, and importantly, facilitate adaptive learning and problem solving (McKenna, 2014 ). A failure to provide such opportunities may have detrimental effects on young students’ learning and their future achievements (Engel et al., 2016 ). Despite mathematics being cited as the core of STEM education and foundational to the other disciplines (e.g., Larson, 2017 ; Roberts et al., 2022 ; Shaughnessy, 2013 ), it is frequently ignored in integrated STEM activities (English, 2016 ; Maass et al., 2019 ; Mayes, 2019 ; Shaughnessy, 2013 ). For example, quantitative reasoning, which is critical to integrated STEM problem solving, is frequently “misrepresented, underdeveloped, and ignored in STEM classrooms” (Mayes, 2019, p. 113). Likewise, Tytler ( 2016 ) warned that there needs to be an explicit focus on the mathematical concepts and thinking processes that arise in STEM activities. Without this focus, STEM programs run the risk of reducing the valuable contributions of mathematical thinking. If children fail to see meaningful links between their learning in mathematics and the other STEM domains, they can lose interest not only in mathematics but also in the other disciplines (Kelley & Knowles, 2016 ).

Traditional notions of mathematical problem solving (e.g., Charles, 1985 ) are now quite inadequate when applied to our current world. At a time of increasing creative disruption, it is essential for mathematical problem solvers to be adaptive in dealing with unforeseen local, national, and international problems. Increasingly, STEM-based problems in the real world encompass more than just disciplinary content and practices. While not denying the essential nature of these components, issues pertaining to cultural, social, political, and ethical dimensions (Kollosche & Meyerhöfer, 2021 ; Pheasants, 2020) can also impact the solution process, necessitating the application of appropriate thinking skills. As Pheasants stressed, “If STEM education is to prepare students to grapple with complex problems in the real world, then more attention ought to be given to approaches that are inclusive of the non-STEM dimensions that exist in those problems.”

In light of the above arguments, I view mathematical and STEM-based problems as goal-directed experiences that (1) demand STEM-relevant ways of thinking, (2) require the development of productive and adaptive ways to navigate complexity, (3) enable multiple approaches and practices (Roberts et al., 2022 ), (4) recruit interdisciplinary solution processes, and (5) facilitate growth of learning innovation for all students regardless of their background (English, 2018 ). In contrast to traditional expectations, such problems need to embody affordances that facilitate learning innovation, where all students can move beyond their existing competence in standard problem solving and be challenged to generate new knowledge in solving unanticipated problems. Even students who achieve average results on standardised tests display conceptual understanding and advanced mathematical thinking not normally seen in the classroom—especially when current common practices emphasise number skills at the expense of problem solving and reasoning with numbers (Kazemi, 2020 ).

Limited attention, however, has been paid to how problem experiences can be developed that press beyond basic content knowledge (Anderson, 2014; Li, Schoenfeld et al., 2019), encompass the STEM disciplines, and develop important ways of thinking. In their recent article, Slavit et al. ( 2021 ) argued that STEM education should be “grounded in our knowledge of how students think in STEM-focused learning environments” (p. 1), and that fostering twenty-first-century skills is essential. Yet, as these authors highlighted, there is not much research on STEM ways of thinking, with even fewer theoretical perspectives and frameworks on which to draw. In the next section, I consider these ways of thinking, defined in Table 1 , and provide examples of their applications to STEM-based problem solving.

3 Ways of thinking in STEM-based problem solving

3.1 critical thinking.

Although long recognised as a significant process in a range of fields, research on critical thinking in education, especially in primary education, has been limited (Aktoprak & Hursen, 2022 ). Critical thinking has long been associated with mathematical reasoning and problem solving, but their association remains under-theorized (Jablonka, 2020 ). Likewise, connections between critical thinking and design thinking have had limited attention largely due to their shared conceptual structures not being articulated (Ericson, 2022 ). As a twenty-first century skill, critical thinking is increasingly recognised as essential in STEM and mathematics education (Kollosche & Meyerhöfer, 2021 ) but is sadly lacking in many school curricula (Braund, 2021 ). As applied to STEM-based problem solving, critical thinking builds on inquiry skills (Nichols et al., 2019 ) and entails evaluating and judging problem situations including statements, claims, and propositions made, analysing arguments, inferring, and reflecting on solution approaches and conclusions drawn. Although critical thinking can contribute significantly to each of the other ways of thinking, its application is often neglected. For example, critical thinking is increasingly needed in design and design thinking, which play a key role in product development, environmental projects, and even in forms of social interaction (as discussed in Sect.  3.3 ; Ericson, 2022 ).

3.1.1 Critical mathematical modelling

One rich source of problem experiences that foster critical thinking is that of modelling. The diverse field of mathematical modelling has long been prominent in the secondary years (e.g., Ärlebäck & Doerr, 2018 ) but remains under-researched in the primary years, especially in relation to its everyday applications. Effective engagement with social, political, and environmental issues through modelling and statistics demands critical thinking, yet such aspects are not often considered in school curricula (Jablonka, 2020 ). This is of particular concern, given the pressing need to tackle such issues in today’s world.

As noted in several publications, the interdisciplinary nature of mathematical modelling makes it ideal for STEM-based problem solving (English, 2016 ; Maass et al., 2019 ; Zawojewski et al., 2008 ). Numerous definitions of models and modelling exist in the literature (e.g., Blum & Leiss, 2007 ; Brady et al., 2015 ). For this article, modelling involves developing conceptual innovations in response to real-world needs; effective modelling requires moving beyond the conventional ways of thinking applied in typical school problems (Lesh et al., 2013 ) to include contextual and critical analysis.

Much has been written about the role of modelling during COVID-19. Mathematical models played a major role in grappling with COVID 19, but their projections were a source of controversy (Rhodes & Lancaster, 2020 ). There seems little appreciation of the critical nature of mathematical models in society (Barbosa, 2006 ) and how assumptions in the modelling process can sway decisions. STEM-based problem solving needs to incorporate not just modelling itself, but also critical mathematical modelling. Critiquing what a model yields, and what is learned, is of increasing social importance (Aguilar & Castaneda, 2021 ; Barbosa, 2006 ). Indeed, as Braund ( 2021 ) illustrated, the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the urgent need for “critical STEM literacy” (p. 339)—an awareness of the complex and problematic interactions of STEM and politics, and a knowledge and understanding of the underlying STEM concepts and representations is essential:

There are two imperatives that emerge: first, that there is sufficient STEM literacy to negotiate the complex COVID-19 information landscape to enable personal decision taking and second, that this is accompanied by a degree of criticality so that politicians and experts are called to account (Braund, 2021 , p. 339).

Kollosche ( 2021 ) shed further light on the lack of critical thinking in the media’s reporting on COVID, with his argument that “most newspaper reports were effective in creating the problems” because of their focus on ideal forms of mathematical concepts and modelling, without discussing the assumptions and methods behind the reported data. Of concern is that “mass media still fail to present scientific models and results in a way that allows for mathematical reflection and a critical evaluation of such information by citizens.”

Modelling experiences that draw on students’ cultural and community contexts (Anhalt et al., 2018 ; English, 2021a , 2021b ; Turner et al., 2009 ) provide rich opportunities for critical thinking from a citizen’s perspective. Such opportunities can also assist students in appreciating that mathematics is not merely a means of calculating answers but is also a vehicle for social justice, where critical thinking plays a key role (Cirillo et al., 2016 ; Greer et al., 2007 ). In their studies of critical thinking in cultural and community contexts, Turner and her colleagues (Turner et al., 2009 , 2021 , 2022 ) explored culturally responsive, community-based approaches to mathematical modelling with elementary teachers and students. Using a range of authentic modelling contexts, Turner and her colleagues illustrated how students’ modelling processes generated a number of issues that required them to think critically about their lives and their lives within their community. In one activity, students were applying design thinking and processes as they redesigned their local park. They generated, for example, mathematical models to estimate how long children would have to wait to use the swings—this informed their decision that the park did not meet the needs of the community. This community-based modelling highlighted “ongoing negotiation between students’ experiences and intentions related to the community park, the constraints of the actual context, and the mathematical issues that arose” (Turner et al., 2009 , p. 148).

Another example of modelling involving critical thinking in cultural and community contexts was implemented in a sixth-grade Cyprus classroom. Students were required to develop a model for their country to purchase water supplies from a choice of nearby nations (English & Mousoulides, 2011 ). Students were to consider travel distances, water price, available supply per week, oil tanker capacity, costs of water and oil, and quality of the port facilities in the neighbouring countries. The targeted model had to select the best option not only for the present but also for the future. Students’ models ranged from a basic form, where port facilities and water supply were ignored, to more sophisticated models, where all factors were integrated, with carbon emissions also considered. One of the student groups who took into account environmental factors commented, “It would be better for the country to spend a little more money and reduce oil consumption. And there are other environmental issues, like pollution of the Mediterranean Sea.” The more sophisticated models reflected systems thinking (Sect.  3.2 ), where the impact of partial factors such as oil consumption on the whole domain (ocean ecosystems and community) was also considered.

3.1.2 Philosophical Inquiry

One underrepresented means of fostering critical thinking in mathematical and STEM-based problem solving is through philosophical inquiry (Calvert et al., 2017 ; English, 2013 , 2022 ; Kennedy, 2012 ; Mukhopadhyay & Greer, 2007 ). Such inquiry encourages a range of thinking skills in identifying hidden assumptions, determining alternative courses of action, and reflecting on conclusions drawn and claims made. Several studies have shown how engaging children in communities of philosophical inquiry nurtures critical thinking dispositions, which become both a goal and a method (Bezençon, 2020 ; Daniel et al., 2017 ; Lipman, 2003 , 2008 ). At the same time, philosophical inquiry can lead to “conceptual deepening” (Bezençon, 2017), where analysis of mathematical and related STEM concepts as they apply beyond the classroom can be fostered. Given the increased societal awareness of mathematics and STEM in recent years, philosophical inquiry can be a powerful tool in enhancing students’ understanding and appreciation of how these disciplines shape societies. At the same time, philosophical inquiry can stimulate consideration of ethical issues in the applications of these disciplines (Bezençon, 2020 ). For example, Mukhopadhyay and Greer ( 2007 ) indicated how mathematics education should “convey the complexity of mathematical modeling social phenomena and a sense of what demarcates questions that can be answered by empirical evidence from those that depend on value systems and world-views” (p. 186).

A comprehensive review by O’Reilly et al. ( 2022 ) identified pedagogical approaches to scaffolding early critical thinking skills including inquiry-based teaching using classroom dialogue or questioning techniques. Such techniques include philosophical inquiry and encouraging children to construct, share, and justify their ideas regarding a task or investigation. Other opportunities for philosophical inquiry include group problem solving, peer sharing of created models, and facilitating critical and constructive peer feedback. For example, Gallagher and Jones ( 2021 ) reported on integrating mathematical modelling and economics, where beginning teachers were presented with a task involving a problematic community issue following a school shooting. In such cases, numerous courses of action are typically proposed for addressing the problem. Not surprisingly, various community opinions exist on such proposals, giving rise to valuable contexts for philosophical inquiry and critical modelling, where data and their sources are carefully analysed. With the escalation of statistical data from the mass media, it is imperative to commence the foundations of critical and philosophical thinking early. Students’ skills in asking critical questions as they work with data in constructing and improving a model, reflect on what their models convey, consider consequences of their models, and justify and communicate their conclusions require nurturing throughout school (Gibbs & Young Park, 2022 ).

3.2 Systems thinking

Systems thinking cuts across the STEM disciplines as well as many other fields outside education. It is considered a key component of “critical thinking and problem solving” in 21st Century Learning (P21, 2015 ) and is often cited as a “habit of mind” in engineering education (e.g., Lippard et al., 2018 ; Lucas et al., 2014 ). Numerous definitions exist for systems thinking (e.g., Bielik et al., 2022 ; Damelin et al., 2017 ; Jacobson & Wilenski, 2022 ), with Bielik et al. ( 2022 ) identifying such thinking as the ability to “consider the system boundaries, the components of the system, the interactions between system components and between different subsystems, and emergent properties and behaviour of the system” (p. 219). In more basic terms, Shin et al. ( 2022 ) refer to systems thinking as “the ability to understand a problem or phenomenon as a system of interacting elements that produces emergent behavior” (p. 936).

Systems thinking interacts with the other thinking forms including those displayed in Fig.  1 , as well as computational thinking (Shin et al., 2022), critical thinking (Curwin et al., 2018 ) and mathematical thinking more broadly (Baioa & Carreira, 2022 ). Systems thinking is considered especially important in conceptualizing a problematic situation within a larger context and in perceiving problems in new and different ways (Stroh, 2018 ). Of special relevance to today’s world is the realisation that perfect solutions do not exist and the choices one makes in applying systems thinking will impact on other parts of the system (Meadows, 2008 ). What is often not considered in today’s complex societies—at least not to the extent required—is that we live in a world of intrinsically linked systems, where disruption in one part will reverberate in others. We see so many instances where particular courses of action are advocated or mandated in societal systems, while the impact on sub-components is perilously ignored. Examples are evident in many nations’ responses to COVID-19, where escalating lockdowns impacted economies and communities, whose demands had to be balanced against purely epidemiological factors. The reverberations of such actions stretch far and wide over long periods. Likewise, the various impacts of current climate actions are frequently ignored, such as how the construction of vast areas of renewable resources (e.g., wind turbines) can have deleterious effects on the surrounding environments including wildlife.

Despite its centrality across the STEM domains, systems thinking is almost absent from mathematics education (Curwin et al., 2018 ). This is despite claims by many researchers that modelling, systems thinking, and associated thinking processes should be significant components of students’ education (Bielik et al., 2022 ; Jacobson & Wilenski, 2022 ). Indeed, systems thinking is featured prominently in the US A Framework for K-12 Science Education (NRC, 2012 ) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013 ), and has received considerable attention in science education (e.g., Borge, 2016 ; Hmelo-Silver et al., 2017 ; York et al., 2019 ) and engineering education (e.g., Lippard & Riley, 2018 ; Litzinger, 2016 ).

Given the complexity of systems thinking in today’s world, and the diverse ways in which it is applied, students require opportunities to experience how systems thinking can interact with other forms such as design thinking and critical thinking (Curwin et al., 2018 ; Shin et al., 2022). Such interactions occur in many popular STEM investigations including one in which fifth-grade students designed, constructed, and experimented with a loaded paper plane (paper clips added) in determining how load impacts on the distance travelled (English, 2021b ). Students observed that changing one design feature (e.g., wingspan or load position) unsettles some other features (e.g., fuselage depth decreases wingspan). The investigation yielded an appreciation of the intricacy of interactions among a system’s components, and their scarcely predictable mutual effects.

Other studies have revealed how very young children can engage in basic systems thinking within STEM contexts. For example, Feriver et al. ( 2019 ) administered a story reading session to individual 4- to 6-year-old children in preschools in Turkey and Germany, and then followed this with individual semi-structured interviews about the story. The reading session was based on the story book, “The Water Hole” (Base, 2001 ), which draws on basic concepts of systems within an ecosystem context. Their study found the young children to have some complex understanding of systems thinking in terms of detecting obvious gradual changes and two-step domino and/or multiple one-way causalities, as well as describing the behaviour of a balancing loop (corrective actions that try to reduce the gap between a desired level or goal and the actual lever, such as temperature and plant growth). However, the children understandably experienced difficulties in several areas, in which even adults have problems. For example, detecting a reinforcing loop, identifying unintended consequences, detecting hidden components and processes, adopting a multi-dimensional perspective, and predicting how a system would behave in the future were problematic for them. In another study, Gillmeister ( 2017 ) showed how preschool children have a more complex understanding of systems thinking than previously claimed. Their ability to utilize simple systems thinking tools, such as stock-flow maps, feedback loops and behaviour over time graphs, was evident.

Although the research has not been extensive, current findings indicate how we might capitalise on the seeds of early systems thinking across the STEM fields. With the pervasive nature of systems thinking, it is argued that its connections to other forms of thinking across STEM should be nurtured (cf., Svensson, 2022 ). This includes links to design-based thinking where designed products, for example, operate “within broader systems and systems of systems” (Buchanan, 2019 ).

3.3 Design-based thinking and STEM-based problem solving

Design-based thinking plays a major role in complex problem solving, yet its contribution to mathematics learning has been largely ignored, especially at the primary levels. Design is central in technology and engineering practice (English et al., 2020 ; Guzey et al., 2019 ), from bridge construction through to the development of medical tools. Design contributes to all phases of problem solving and drives students toward innovative rather than predetermined outcomes (Goldman & Zielezinski, 2016 ). As applied to STEM education, design thinking is generally viewed as a set of iterative processes of understanding a problem and developing an appropriate solution. It includes problem scoping, idea generation, systems thinking, designing and creating, testing and reflecting, redesigning and recreating, and communicating. Both learning about design and learning through design can help students develop more informed analytical approaches to mathematical and STEM-based problem solving (English et al., 2020 ; Strimel et al., 2018 ).

Learning about design in solving complex problems emphasises design thinking processes per se, that is, students learn about design itself. Design thinking as a means for learning about design is not as prevalent in integrated STEM education. Although learning through and about design should not be divorced during problem solving (van Breukelen et al., 2017 ), one learning goal can take precedence over the other. Both require greater attention, especially in today’s design-focused world (Tornroth & Wikberg Nilsson, 2022 ).

A plurality of solutions of varying levels of sophistication is possible in applying design thinking processes, so students from different achievement levels can devise solutions (Goldman & Kabayadondo, 2017 )—and research suggests that lower-achieving students benefit most (Chin et al., 2019 ). The question of how best to develop design learning across grades K-12, however, has not received adequate attention. This is perhaps not surprising given that comparatively few studies have investigated the design thinking of grades 6–12 and even fewer across the elementary years (Kelley & Sung, 2017 ; Strimel et al., 2018 ).

Also overlooked is how design-based thinking can foster concept development, that is, how it can foster “learning while designing”, or generative learning (English et al., 2020 ). Design-based thinking provides natural opportunities to develop understanding of the required STEM concepts (Hjalmarson et al., 2020 ). As these authors pointed out, when students create designs, they represent models of their thinking. When students have to express their conceptual understanding in the form of design, such as an engineering designed product, their knowledge (e.g., of different material properties) is tested. Studies have revealed such learning occurs when elementary and middle school students design and construct various physical artifacts. For example, in a fifth-grade study involving designing and building an optical instrument that enabled one to see around corners, King and English ( 2017 ) observed how students applied and enriched their understanding of scientific concepts of light and how it travels through a system, together with their mathematical knowledge of geometric properties, angles and measurement.

In a study in the secondary grades (Langman et al. ( 2019 ), student groups completed modules that included a model-eliciting activity (Lesh & Zawojewski, 2007 ) involving iterative design thinking processes. Students were to interpret, assess, and compare images of blood vessel networks grown in scaffolds, develop a procedure or tool for measuring (or scoring) this vessel growth, and demonstrate how to apply their procedure to the images, as well as to any image of a blood vessel network. The results showed how students designed a range of mathematical models of varying levels of sophistication to evaluate the quality of blood vessel networks and developed a knowledge of angiogenesis in doing so.

In another study implemented in a 6th-grade classroom, students were involved in both learning about and learning through design in creating a new sustainable town with the goal of at least 50% renewable energy sources. The students were also engaged in systems thinking, as well as critical thinking, as they planned, developed, and critically analysed the layout and interactions of different components of their town system (e.g., where to place renewable energy sources to minimise impact on the residences and recreational areas; where to situate essential services to reach different town components). Students also had to consider the budgetary constraints in their town designs. Their learning about design was apparent in their iterative processes of problem scoping, idea generation and modification, balancing of benefits and trade-offs (dealing with system subcomponents), critical reflections on their designs, and improvements of the overall town design. Learning though design was evident as students displayed content knowledge pertaining to renewable energy and community needs, applied spatial reasoning in positioning town features, and considered budgetary constraints in reaching their “best” design.

Engineering design processes form a significant component of design thinking and learning, with foundational links across the STEM disciplines including mathematical modelling. Engineering design-based problems help students appreciate how they can apply different ideas and approaches from the STEM disciplines, with more than one outcome possible (Guzey et al., 2019 ). Such design thinking engages students in interpreting problems, developing initial design ideas, selecting and testing a promising design, analysing results from their prototype solution, and revising to improve outcomes.

It is of concern that limited attention has been devoted to engineering design-based thinking in mathematics and the other STEM disciplines in the primary grades. This is despite research indicating how very young children can engage in design-based thinking when provided with appropriate opportunities (e.g., Cunningham, 2018 ; Elkin et al., 2018 ). Elkin et al., for example, used robotics in early childhood classrooms to introduce foundational engineering design thinking processes. Their study illustrated how these young learners used engineering design journals and engaged in design thinking as they engineered creative solutions to challenging problems presented to them. It seems somewhat paradoxical that foundational engineering design thinking is a natural part of young children’s inquiry about their world, yet this important component has been largely ignored in these informative years.

In sum, design-based thinking is a powerful and integrative tool for mathematical and STEM-based problem solving and requires greater focus in school curricula. Both learning about and through design have the potential to improve learning and problem solving well beyond the school years (Chin et al., 2019 ). At the same time, design-based thinking, together with the other ways of thinking, can contribute significantly to learning innovation (English, 2018 ).

3.4 Adaptive and innovative thinking for learning innovation

Disruption is rapidly becoming the norm in almost all spheres of life. The recent national and international upheavals have further stimulated disruptive thinking (or disruptive innovation), where perspectives on commonly accepted (and often inefficient) solutions to problems are rejected for more innovative approaches and products. Given the pressing need for problem solvers capable of developing new and adaptable knowledge, rather than applying limited simplistic procedures or strategies, we need to foster what I term, learning innovation (English, 2018 ; Fig.  2 ). Such learning builds on core content to generate more powerful disciplinary knowledge and thinking processes that can, in turn, be adapted and applied to solving subsequent challenging problems.

Learning innovation

Figure  2 (adapted from McKenna, 2014 ) illustrates how learning innovation can be fostered through the growth of mathematical and STEM knowledge, together with STEM ways of thinking. The optimal adaptability corridor represents the growth of mathematical and STEM-based problem solving from novice to adaptable solver . Adaptable problem solvers (Hatano & Oura, 2003 ) have developed the flexibility, curiosity, and creativity to tackle novel problems—skills that are needed in jobs of the future (Denning & Noray, 2020 ; OECD, 2019 ). Without the disciplinary knowledge, ways of thinking, and engagement in challenging but approachable problems, a student risks remaining merely a routine problem solver—one who is skilled solely in applying previously taught procedures to solve sets of familiar well-worn problems, as typically encountered at school. Learning innovation remains a challenging and unresolved issue across curriculum domains and is proposed as central to dealing effectively with disruption.

Particularly rich experiences for developing learning innovation involve interdisciplinary modelling, incorporating critical mathematical modelling (e.g., Hallström and Schönborn, 2019 ; Lesh et al., 2013 ). As noted, a key feature of model-eliciting experiences is the affordances they provide all students to exhibit “extraordinary abilities to remember and transfer their tools to new situations” (Lesh et al., 2013 , p. 54). Modelling enables students to apply more sophisticated STEM concepts and generate solutions that extend beyond their usual classroom problems. Such experiences require different ways of thinking in problem solving as they deal with, for example, conflicting constraints and trade-offs, alternative paths to follow, and various tools and representations to utilise. In essence, interdisciplinary modelling may be regarded as a way of creating STEM concepts, with modeling and concept development being highly interdependent and mutually supportive (cf., Lesh & Caylor, 2007 ).

4 Concluding points

The ill-defined problems of today, coupled with unexpected disruptions across all walks of life, demand advanced problem-solving by all citizens. The need to update outmoded forms of problem solving, which fail to take into account increasing global challenges, has never been greater (Cowin, 2021 ). The ways-of-thinking framework has been proposed as a powerful means of enhancing problem-solving skills for dealing with today’s unprecedented game-changers. Specifically, critical thinking (including critical mathematical modelling and philosophical inquiry), systems thinking, and design-based thinking are advanced as collectively contributing to the adaptive and innovative skills required for problem success. It is argued that the pinnacle of this framework is learning innovation, which can be within reach of all students. Fostering students’ agency for developing learning innovation is paramount if they are to take some control of their own problem solving and learning (English, 2018 ; Gadanidis et al., 2016 ; Roberts et al., 2022 ).

Establishing a culture of empowerment and equity, with an asset-based approach, where the strengths of all students are recognised, can empower students as learners and achievers in an increasingly uncertain world (Celedón-Pattichis et al., 2018 ). Teacher actions that encourage students to express their ideas, together with a program of future-oriented mathematical and STEM-based problems, can nurture students’ problem-solving confidence and dispositions (Goldman & Zielezinski, 2016 ; Roberts et al., 2022 ). In particular, mathematical and STEM-based modelling has been advocated as a rich means of developing multiple ways of thinking that foster adaptive and innovative learners—learners with a propensity for developing new knowledge and skills, together with a willingness to tackle ill-defined problems of today and the future. Such propensity for dealing effectively with STEM-based problem solving is imperative, beginning in the earliest grades. The skills gained can thus be readily transferred across disciplines, and subsequently across career opportunities.

Data availability

The data sets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Cognitive Flexibility: 7 Important Aspects on The Mind’s Agile Adaptability

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Have you ever wondered what enables us to smoothly navigate the curveballs that life occasionally throws at us? It’s a hidden superpower we all possess: cognitive flexibility . This unique ability lets our minds adapt swiftly to the unexpected, and without it, life could feel like trying to tackle a high-speed roundabout on a unicycle.

Cognitive flexibility is the neurological equivalent of a chameleon seamlessly changing its color or a gymnast nimbly performing a complex routine. It allows us to switch between tasks, ideas, and thoughts with ease, making it a cornerstone of how we think, learn, and indeed, exist.

This ability isn’t just about mental agility, though. It has a profound impact on our learning capabilities, problem-solving skills, and mental health . The more flexible our cognition, the more efficiently we can absorb new information, approach complex problems, and manage our emotional responses.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the intricate world of cognitive flexibility. We’ll unravel its role in learning and problem-solving, delve into its significance in mental health, and explore ways to enhance it. We’ll also peek into the promising future of cognitive flexibility research. Buckle up, and let’s embark on this fascinating journey of the mind!

Understanding Cognitive Flexibility

Now that we’ve whet your appetite for cognitive flexibility, let’s delve a bit deeper into what it’s all about.

Essentially, cognitive flexibility is our brain’s ability to quickly switch gears, hopping from one concept to another, or adapting to new and unexpected circumstances. It’s the fluid, dynamic, and adaptable nature of our cognition, allowing us to think in non-linear, creative, and abstract ways.

But it’s not just about flitting from one thought to another like a mental hummingbird. Cognitive flexibility involves several interrelated components. These include the ability to think about multiple concepts simultaneously, or multitasking if you will. It’s about being able to view a situation from multiple perspectives or even shift your entire way of thinking to accommodate new information.

It’s this very cognitive flexibility that comes into play when you find your usual route to work blocked and you need to figure out an alternate way. It’s also at work when you’re trying to solve a tricky math problem, or learning a new language, or even when interpreting a complex piece of art. It’s our brain’s ability to juggle, shuffle, and rearrange information that makes cognitive flexibility so central to our daily functioning.

Underneath all these mental gymnastics, our brain’s complex neural networks are hard at work. Cognitive flexibility has its roots in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. The basic activity of this brain region involves orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.

While it all sounds intricate, and let’s face it—slightly overwhelming—the key takeaway is this: cognitive flexibility is your brain’s superpower, helping you adapt, evolve, and sail smoothly through life’s varied challenges.

The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Learning and Problem-Solving

Our journey through cognitive flexibility continues to its intersection with learning and problem-solving. You see, our mental adaptability isn’t just a fancy parlour trick. It’s an integral part of how we learn new things and tackle problems head-on.

Think of your learning journey as a constantly meandering river, changing course as new information comes in. The river’s ability to adapt and change—that’s cognitive flexibility in action. It’s what allows us to absorb, process, and integrate new knowledge, changing our perspectives or understanding as we go along.

In the context of learning, cognitive flexibility enables us to move beyond rote memorization or single solution responses. Instead, it encourages us to link diverse pieces of information, draw parallels, and make unique connections. So, whether you’re learning to code, mastering the art of cooking, or deciphering a foreign language, your cognitive flexibility is working overtime, helping you adjust to new rules, structures, and patterns.

Now, let’s turn to problem-solving, which is essentially learning’s adventurous cousin. Life, as we all know, isn’t a straightforward road—it’s more like a maze full of twists, turns, and dead-ends. Here’s where cognitive flexibility proves to be an invaluable companion.

When faced with a problem, cognitive flexibility helps us pivot our thinking, enabling us to approach issues from various angles. It allows us to think outside the box, discarding unworkable solutions and formulating new ones. Whether it’s resolving a workplace conflict, debugging a computer program, or simply figuring out how to assemble flat-pack furniture, cognitive flexibility gives us the power to devise creative solutions and conquer challenges.

In essence, cognitive flexibility is the unseen force that fuels our learning and problem-solving abilities. It’s the spark of creativity, the nudge towards innovation, and the power behind our adaptability. Understanding and enhancing it can open doors to endless possibilities for growth and development.

The Impact of Cognitive Flexibility on Mental Health

Now let’s delve into a topic that’s close to everyone’s heart—mental health. We often talk about maintaining physical fitness, but cognitive fitness, especially cognitive flexibility, is just as crucial. After all, a healthy mind is integral to a healthy life.

Cognitive flexibility, with its nimble nature, is like a beacon of resilience in the stormy seas of stress and adversity. It helps us adjust to change, manage uncertainties, and cope with life’s challenges—vital skills in preserving our mental health.

Research suggests a strong correlation between cognitive flexibility and mental well-being. Higher cognitive flexibility is often associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety. When life throws a curveball, cognitive flexibility allows us to change our perspective , adapt our strategies, and find a way forward. It’s our mental safety net that keeps us bouncing back.

On the flip side, reduced cognitive flexibility can lead to mental health struggles. When we get stuck in patterns of negative thinking or find it difficult to shift from harmful behaviors, it’s often a sign of diminished cognitive flexibility. Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been linked to reduced cognitive flexibility.

But here’s the good news—cognitive flexibility can be nurtured and improved, and in doing so, it can play a vital role in managing mental health disorders. By teaching us to break away from negative thought patterns and encouraging more positive, adaptable thinking, cognitive flexibility is a promising avenue in mental health treatments.

In a nutshell, cognitive flexibility is an unsung hero in the realm of mental health. It’s our mental agility, our ability to bounce back, and a powerful tool in managing our mental well-being. And in a world where mental health is of utmost importance, fostering cognitive flexibility could be a real game-changer.

Techniques to Enhance Cognitive Flexibility

You’ve probably been nodding along and thinking, “Cognitive flexibility sounds fantastic, but how do I boost it?” Well, dear reader, your patience is about to pay off. Here are some effective techniques to help you stretch and strengthen your cognitive flexibility.

1. Engage in Mental Workouts

Just like our muscles, our brains also need regular exercise. Mental workouts can come in various shapes and sizes. Puzzles, brain teasers, riddles, or strategy games—they all challenge your brain, pushing it to think in new and different ways.

Consider learning a new skill or a hobby. Whether it’s painting, learning to play a musical instrument, or mastering a new language, it encourages your brain to form new neural pathways, enhancing your cognitive flexibility.

2. Embrace Change and Novelty

Try to break away from routines and step outside your comfort zone . This could mean trying a new cuisine, visiting an unfamiliar place, or simply changing your route to work. Encountering novelty and unpredictability promotes adaptability—a key aspect of cognitive flexibility.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Research suggests that mindfulness and meditation can enhance cognitive flexibility. By focusing on the present moment and accepting it without judgment, mindfulness helps us break away from habitual thought patterns. It promotes open-mindedness and the ability to shift perspectives, both crucial components of cognitive flexibility.

4. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset—believing that your abilities can be improved with effort and practice—can also enhance cognitive flexibility. A growth mindset encourages us to see challenges as opportunities to learn, fostering adaptive thinking.

5. Physical Exercise and Healthy Lifestyle

Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical exercise , a balanced diet , and adequate sleep have been linked to better cognitive flexibility. Physical exercise, in particular, boosts blood flow to the brain, supporting the development of new neural connections.

Remember, enhancing cognitive flexibility is not an overnight task—it requires consistent effort and practice. But with these strategies, you can train your brain to be more agile, adaptable, and resilient, allowing you to better navigate the ever-changing maze of life.

Success Stories in Applying Cognitive Flexibility Research

Cognitive flexibility research is not just confined to labs and academic papers; it has found practical applications that have made a real difference. Let’s explore five such success stories where the application of cognitive flexibility research has yielded tangible benefits.

1. Enhancing Learning in the Classroom

In an innovative school in Finland, educators applied cognitive flexibility principles to create a learning environment that encourages adaptive thinking and problem-solving. They integrated multiple subjects into single, complex lessons, which forced students to switch contexts and think flexibly. The result? The school consistently ranks at the top in the country for student performance.

2. Training Programs for Elderly

The National Institute on Aging funded research resulted in a cognitive training program specifically designed to enhance cognitive flexibility among the elderly. The program used problem-solving exercises and brain games that helped older adults improve their mental agility, demonstrating better decision-making and multitasking abilities.

3. Improving Mental Health Treatment

A team of psychologists integrated cognitive flexibility training into cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. By teaching patients to break free from rigid thought patterns and adopt more adaptive thinking, the new approach led to significant improvements in patients’ mental health outcomes.

4. Increasing Workplace Productivity

A Fortune 500 company implemented cognitive flexibility training for its employees, aiming to foster innovation and problem-solving. The training involved exercises to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and adaptability. Post-training, the company reported a significant boost in productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction.

5. Optimizing Sports Performance

A renowned football coach used cognitive flexibility principles to train his team, emphasizing quick decision-making and adaptability on the field. Players were put through changing game scenarios, requiring them to continually adapt their strategies. The team went on to win their championship, attributing their success, in part, to enhanced cognitive flexibility.

These success stories serve as a testament to the potential of cognitive flexibility research. By integrating cognitive flexibility principles in various aspects of life—education, mental health, the workplace, or sports—we can unlock greater potential, drive innovation, and create more successful outcomes.

The Future of Cognitive Flexibility Research

As we near the end of our cognitive flexibility journey, let’s take a moment to gaze into the crystal ball. What does the future hold for cognitive flexibility research?

Well, the horizon looks promising, indeed. As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the human mind, cognitive flexibility is set to take center stage. Its potential applications in improving learning outcomes, enhancing workplace productivity, and promoting mental well-being are just the tip of the iceberg.

In the field of education, researchers are exploring how cognitive flexibility can be integrated into curricula and teaching methodologies to enhance learning. There’s potential for personalized learning paths that adapt to each student’s cognitive flexibility, fostering an education system that nurtures individual strengths and promotes holistic development.

The world of work is also ripe for the benefits of cognitive flexibility research. As the nature of work continues to evolve in our increasingly digital and global world, cognitive flexibility will become a highly prized skill. Companies will likely invest more in cognitive flexibility training, fostering a workforce that can adapt to change, innovate, and solve problems more effectively.

Mental health is another area where cognitive flexibility research holds significant promise. With the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, there’s a pressing need for effective treatments. Cognitive flexibility, with its potential to break the cycle of negative thought patterns, could revolutionize therapy methods, offering new hope for those struggling with mental health issues.

In addition, emerging technologies like neuroimaging and AI hold exciting possibilities for cognitive flexibility research. They could enable us to understand the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility better and develop more effective ways to enhance it.

In a nutshell, the future of cognitive flexibility research is brimming with potential. As we continue to explore this fascinating aspect of cognition, we’ll not only deepen our understanding of the human mind but also unlock new ways to enhance our learning, problem-solving, adaptability, and mental well-being.

So, there you have it—the fascinating world of cognitive flexibility, unwrapped and explored. We’ve journeyed through the terrain of this mental superpower, understanding what it means, how it influences our learning, problem-solving, and mental health, and how we can enhance it. We’ve seen how cognitive flexibility research has already made waves in classrooms, workplaces, and therapy rooms, and we’ve looked into a future where its potential is only set to grow.

Cognitive flexibility, with its intricate ballet of mental adaptability, agility, and resilience, is integral to how we navigate the world. It allows us to make sense of complexity, to adapt in the face of change, and to derive meaning from chaos. It’s the bedrock of our creativity, the fuel for our problem-solving prowess, and the key to resilience in the face of adversity.

While cognitive flexibility may not be something we consciously think about every day, it quietly shapes our lives in profound ways. By recognizing and nurturing it, we can not only improve our abilities to learn and solve problems but also boost our mental well-being.

As we step into a future that promises to be ever more dynamic and unpredictable, cognitive flexibility will be an invaluable skill. Through ongoing research and practical applications, we have the chance to harness this cognitive superpower to its fullest potential—equipping ourselves for whatever the future holds.

So, here’s to embracing cognitive flexibility—the mental gymnastics that makes life an interesting, ever-changing maze, and us, its ever-ready explorers. May we continue to adapt, learn, and grow, ever nimble and ever flexible, in our fascinating journey through life.

KEY CONCEPTS

What is cognitive flexibility?

Cognitive flexibility is the mental ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts or adapt to new perspectives.

Why is cognitive flexibility important?

Cognitive flexibility aids in learning, problem-solving, and adapting to new situations. It’s vital for mental health and resilience.

Can cognitive flexibility be improved?

Yes, cognitive flexibility can be improved through brain exercises, embracing change, mindfulness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What role does cognitive flexibility play in learning?

Cognitive flexibility helps in learning by allowing us to integrate diverse pieces of information, adapt to new rules, and draw unique connections.

How does cognitive flexibility impact mental health?

Cognitive flexibility fosters resilience against stress and adversity, thus supporting mental health. Lack of it is linked with certain mental health disorders.

How is cognitive flexibility linked to problem-solving?

Cognitive flexibility is key to problem-solving as it allows us to pivot our thinking, enabling us to approach issues from various angles.

Are there practical applications of cognitive flexibility research?

Yes, cognitive flexibility research has been applied in areas like education, workplace training, mental health treatment, and sports performance.

What does the future hold for cognitive flexibility research?

The future of cognitive flexibility research looks promising, with potential applications in improving learning outcomes, enhancing workplace productivity, and promoting mental well-being.

What are some success stories in applying cognitive flexibility research?

Success stories include enhancing learning in classrooms, improving mental health treatments, increasing workplace productivity, and optimizing sports performance.

What are some techniques to enhance cognitive flexibility?

Techniques include engaging in mental workouts, embracing change, practicing mindfulness, adopting a growth mindset, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Problem Solving Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples

By Status.net Editorial Team on July 21, 2023 — 4 minutes to read

Problem solving is an important skill in any work environment: it includes the ability to identify, understand, and develop solutions to complex issues while maintaining a focus on the end goal. Evaluating this skill in employees during performance reviews can be highly beneficial for both the employee and the organization.

Questions that can help you determine an employee’s rating for problem solving skills:

• How well does the employee define the problem and identify its root cause?
• How creative is the employee in generating potential solutions?
• How effective is the employee in implementing the chosen solution?
• How well does the employee evaluate the effectiveness of the solution and adjust it if necessary?

Related: Best Performance Review Examples for 48 Key Skills

2000+ Performance Review Phrases: The Complete List (Performance Feedback Examples)

Performance Review Phrases and Paragraphs Examples For Problem Solving

5 – outstanding.

Phrases examples:

• Consistently demonstrates exceptional problem-solving abilities
• Proactively identifies issues and offers innovative solutions
• Quickly adapts to unforeseen challenges and finds effective resolutions
• Exceptional problem-solving ability, consistently providing innovative solutions
• Regularly goes above and beyond to find creative solutions to complicated issues
• Demonstrates a keen understanding of complex problems and quickly identifies effective solutions

Paragraph Example 1

“Jane consistently demonstrates outstanding problem-solving skills. She proactively identifies issues in our department and offers innovative solutions that have improved processes and productivity. Her ability to quickly adapt to unforeseen challenges and find effective resolutions is commendable and has proven invaluable to the team.”

Paragraph Example 2

“Sarah has demonstrated an outstanding ability in problem solving throughout the year. Her innovative solutions have significantly improved our department’s efficiency, and she consistently goes above and beyond expectations to find creative approaches to complicated issues.”

4 – Exceeds Expectations

• Demonstrates a strong aptitude for solving complex problems
• Often takes initiative in identifying and resolving issues
• Effectively considers multiple perspectives and approaches before making decisions
• Displayed a consistently strong ability to tackle challenging problems efficiently
• Often takes the initiative to solve problems before they escalate
• Demonstrates a high level of critical thinking when resolving issues

“John exceeds expectations in problem-solving. He has a strong aptitude for solving complex problems and often takes initiative in identifying and resolving issues. His ability to consider multiple perspectives and approaches before making decisions has led to valuable improvements within the team.”

“Sam consistently exceeded expectations in problem solving this year. His efficient handling of challenging issues has made a positive impact on our team, and he often takes the initiative to resolve problems before they escalate. Sam’s critical thinking ability has been a valuable asset to our organization, and we appreciate his efforts.”

3 – Meets Expectations

• Displays adequate problem-solving skills when faced with challenges
• Generally able to identify issues and propose viable solutions
• Seeks assistance when necessary to resolve difficult situations
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of problem-solving techniques
• Capable of resolving everyday issues independently
• Shows perseverance when facing difficult challenges

“Mary meets expectations in her problem-solving abilities. She displays adequate skills when faced with challenges and is generally able to identify issues and propose viable solutions. Mary also seeks assistance when necessary to resolve difficult situations, demonstrating her willingness to collaborate and learn.”

“Sarah meets expectations in her problem-solving abilities. She demonstrates a solid understanding of problem-solving techniques and can resolve everyday issues independently. We value her perseverance when facing difficult challenges and encourage her to continue developing these skills.”

2 – Needs Improvement

• Struggles to find effective solutions to problems
• Tends to overlook critical details when evaluating situations
• Reluctant to seek help or collaborate with others to resolve issues
• Struggles to find effective solutions when faced with complex issues
• Often relies on assistance from others to resolve problems
• May lack confidence in decision-making when solving problems

“Tom’s problem-solving skills need improvement. He struggles to find effective solutions to problems and tends to overlook critical details when evaluating situations. Tom should work on being more willing to seek help and collaborate with others to resolve issues, which will ultimately strengthen his problem-solving abilities.”

“Mark’s problem-solving skills need improvement. He often struggles to find effective solutions for complex issues and seeks assistance from others to resolve problems. We encourage Mark to build his confidence in decision-making and focus on developing his problem-solving abilities.”

1 – Unacceptable

• Fails to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Lacks critical thinking skills necessary for effective problem-solving
• Often creates additional issues when attempting to resolve problems
• Demonstrates a consistent inability to resolve even basic issues
• Often avoids responsibility for problem-solving tasks
• Fails to analyze problems effectively, leading to poor decision-making

“Sally’s problem-solving skills are unacceptable. She consistently fails to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, and her lack of critical thinking skills hinders her ability to effectively solve challenges. Additionally, her attempts to resolve problems often create additional issues, resulting in a negative impact on the team’s overall performance.”

“Susan’s problem-solving performance has been unacceptable this year. She consistently demonstrates an inability to resolve basic issues and avoids taking responsibility for problem-solving tasks. Her ineffectiveness in analyzing problems has led to poor decision-making. It is crucial that Susan improve her problem-solving skills to succeed in her role.”

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• Analytical Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples

How to Solve Adaptive Challenges with Agile Problem Solving

Introduction.

In today’s complex and fast-paced world, organizations are constantly faced with a wide range of challenges that require innovative and adaptive solutions. These challenges, known as adaptive challenges, are complex problems that do not have a straightforward and predefined solution. They require a flexible and agile problem-solving approach that can adapt to evolving circumstances.

Traditional problem-solving approaches often fall short in addressing adaptive challenges. They tend to rely on predefined solutions or established processes that may not be effective in navigating the uncertainties and complexities associated with adaptive challenges. This is where agile problem solving techniques come into play.

Agile problem solving is an approach that originated in the software development industry but has since been widely adopted across various fields and industries. It is a problem-solving method that emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning. Agile problem solving enables organizations to effectively address adaptive challenges by facilitating innovation, experimentation, and iterative improvement.

The need for agile problem solving techniques has become increasingly important in today’s dynamic and competitive business environment. Organizations are confronted with a variety of complex issues such as rapidly changing customer demands, disruptive technologies, and evolving regulatory frameworks. These challenges require organizations to be nimble and responsive, and to continuously adapt their strategies and operations.

By adopting agile problem solving, organizations can navigate these adaptive challenges more effectively. Agile problem solving allows for rapid exploration of potential solutions, quick iteration and adaptation, and engagement of diverse stakeholders. It enables organizations to stay ahead of the curve, respond to changing circumstances, and identify new opportunities.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the concept of adaptive challenges and highlight the characteristics that distinguish them from technical challenges. We will then explore the principles and benefits of agile problem solving, followed by a detailed overview of the agile problem solving process. Real-life case studies and practical examples will be presented to illustrate how organizations have successfully utilized agile problem solving to address adaptive challenges. Finally, we will conclude with a recap of the main points discussed and encourage readers to apply agile problem solving techniques in their own organizations. By embracing agile problem solving, organizations can overcome adaptive challenges and achieve sustainable success in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Understanding Adaptive Challenges

Adaptive challenges are complex problems that require individuals and organizations to adapt and change their behaviors, mindsets, and practices in order to find effective solutions. These challenges are typically characterized by their dynamic and uncertain nature, as well as the need for ongoing learning and adjustment.

In various industries, there are numerous examples of adaptive challenges. For instance, in the healthcare industry, the need to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs requires healthcare providers to adapt their practices and embrace innovative approaches. In the business world, organizations often face adaptive challenges when they need to navigate rapidly evolving markets and changing customer preferences.

It is important to distinguish adaptive challenges from technical challenges. Technical challenges are problems that can be solved using known methods and existing expertise, while adaptive challenges are more complex and require organizations and individuals to develop new skills and approaches. Technical challenges are typically defined and the path to a solution can be predetermined, whereas adaptive challenges involve an exploration of the problem and potential solutions.

Addressing adaptive challenges requires agile problem solving techniques that can effectively navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the problem. Agile problem solving is a mindset and approach that originated in the software development industry but has since been applied to a wide range of domains.

The key principles and values of agile problem solving include:

Iterative and incremental approach: Instead of trying to find a single, perfect solution, agile problem solving encourages the use of small-scale experiments and continuous learning. This allows for quick feedback and adjustment, leading to more effective solutions.

Collaboration and diverse perspectives: Agile problem solving recognizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders and encouraging collaboration. This not only increases the pool of ideas and perspectives but also fosters ownership and commitment to the solutions.

Flexibility and adaptability: Agile problem solving embraces the idea that change is constant and unpredictable. It emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability, allowing for adjustments and refinements as new information emerges.

By applying agile problem solving techniques, organizations can benefit in several ways. Firstly, it allows for faster problem-solving by breaking down complex challenges into smaller, more manageable parts. This enables organizations to identify and implement solutions more efficiently.

Secondly, agile problem solving promotes a culture of continuous learning and improvement. By adopting an iterative approach, organizations can learn from both successes and failures, continuously refining their strategies and approaches.

Lastly, agile problem solving encourages collaboration and inclusivity. By involving relevant stakeholders in the problem-solving process, organizations can tap into a wide range of perspectives and expertise, leading to more robust and innovative solutions.

In the next section, we will dive deeper into the agile problem solving process and explore how it can be applied to address adaptive challenges effectively.

Agile Problem Solving and Its Benefits

Agile problem solving is a methodology that originated in the software development industry, but its principles and values can be applied to solving a wide range of adaptive challenges in various industries. The key principles of agile problem solving include flexibility, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning. By embracing these principles, organizations can effectively tackle complex and dynamic issues and improve their problem-solving capabilities.

The benefits of agile problem solving are numerous and can have a significant impact on an organization’s ability to address adaptive challenges. Some of the key benefits include:

Flexibility : Agile problem solving encourages flexibility and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. It acknowledges that adaptive challenges often require a non-linear approach and that solutions may need to be adjusted or even completely changed as new information and insights emerge. This flexibility allows organizations to respond to changing circumstances and improve their problem-solving strategies accordingly.

Collaboration : Agile problem solving emphasizes the importance of collaboration and involving stakeholders in the problem-solving process. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, organizations can generate a more comprehensive range of solutions and make better-informed decisions. Collaboration also fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among stakeholders, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation.

Experimentation : Agile problem solving encourages a culture of experimentation and learning. Instead of relying on a single solution or a predetermined plan, organizations are encouraged to test and validate potential solutions through small-scale experiments. This iterative approach allows for quicker feedback and learning, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and adjust their strategies as needed.

Continuous Learning : Agile problem solving promotes a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Organizations are encouraged to reflect on their successes and failures, evaluate the effectiveness of their problem-solving strategies, and identify areas for improvement. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, organizations can enhance their problem-solving capabilities and develop a more effective and adaptable approach to addressing adaptive challenges.

Overall, agile problem solving provides organizations with a framework and set of principles that enable them to navigate and address adaptive challenges more effectively. By emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning, organizations can build resilience and adaptability into their problem-solving processes, ultimately improving their ability to tackle complex and dynamic issues.

The Agile Problem Solving Process

The agile problem solving process provides a structured approach for addressing adaptive challenges efficiently and effectively. It involves several key steps that help teams navigate complex and dynamic issues. Let’s explore each step in detail:

1. Define the Problem

The first step in the agile problem solving process is to define the problem clearly and concisely. This involves techniques such as:

Identifying and understanding the adaptive challenge : The team needs to thoroughly analyze the problem and determine whether it is an adaptive challenge or a technical challenge. Adaptive challenges are characterized by their complexity, uncertainty, and the need for behavioral or cultural change.

Gathering relevant information and data : It’s important to gather all the necessary information and data related to the problem. This may involve conducting interviews, surveys, research, or collecting feedback from stakeholders.

Framing the problem : Once the team has a clear understanding of the problem, they should frame it in a way that is easy to communicate and grasp. This helps ensure that everyone involved has a shared understanding of the problem and its implications.

2. Explore Possible Solutions

Once the problem is defined, the next step is to explore possible solutions. This step encourages creativity, collaboration, and diverse perspectives. Techniques that can be used here include:

Brainstorming : Encourage team members to generate a variety of potential solutions without judging or criticizing any ideas. This helps foster creativity and encourages broader thinking.

Collaborative techniques : Use collaborative techniques such as workshops, design thinking, or lean problem-solving sessions to involve multiple stakeholders and benefit from their diverse expertise and perspectives.

Prioritization : Evaluate and prioritize potential solutions based on feasibility, impact, and alignment with desired outcomes. This helps in determining which solutions are worth pursuing and investing resources in.

3. Experiment and Learn

The agile problem solving process emphasizes an iterative and experimental approach to problem solving. In this step, teams implement small-scale experiments to test and validate potential solutions. Key aspects of this step include:

Iterative approach : Break down the problem-solving process into smaller iterations or sprints. This allows teams to make incremental progress and learn from each iteration.

Prototyping and testing : Create prototypes or Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and test them with users or relevant stakeholders. This helps gather feedback and validate assumptions and hypotheses.

Learn from feedback : Continuously learn from feedback and adjust strategies accordingly. Embrace a culture of learning from failures and successes to drive continuous improvement.

4. Adapt and Iterate

Agile problem solving requires flexibility and adaptability. Once feedback is gathered, teams should be prepared to adapt and iterate on their solutions. Key considerations for this step include:

Refining and enhancing solutions : Based on feedback and data, make necessary refinements and enhancements to the solutions. This may involve modifying the approach, changing the scope, or incorporating new insights.

Embracing flexibility : Be open to changes and adapt the problem-solving approach as needed. Agile problem solving recognizes that solutions may evolve and change over time.

5. Engage Stakeholders and Foster Collaboration

Inclusive stakeholder engagement and collaboration are crucial for effective problem solving. This step involves:

Involving relevant stakeholders : Engage stakeholders who are impacted by or have expertise relevant to the problem. This ensures a broader perspective and increases the chances of finding comprehensive and effective solutions.

Creating a collaborative environment : Foster collaboration by creating a safe and inclusive space for idea generation and decision-making. Use techniques such as workshops, cross-functional teams, or facilitated sessions to encourage collaboration.

Effective communication and facilitation : Utilize effective communication and facilitation techniques to encourage active participation and ensure that all voices are heard.

6. Continuously Improve

The final step in the agile problem solving process is establishing mechanisms for continuous improvement and learning. Key aspects of this step include:

Reflection and learning : Regularly reflect on successes and failures to identify areas for improvement. Encourage the team to share lessons learned and insights gained from the problem-solving process.

Cultivate a culture of continuous learning : Foster a culture that values continuous learning and adaptation. Encourage team members to seek opportunities for professional development, experimentation, and knowledge sharing.

By following the agile problem solving process, teams can effectively navigate adaptive challenges, generate innovative solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances. This approach promotes agility, collaboration, and continuous improvement, enabling organizations to solve complex problems more efficiently.

Case Studies and Practical Examples

Example 1: agile problem solving in healthcare.

A large hospital system was facing the challenge of reducing patient wait times in their emergency department. They recognized that this was not a technical problem with a clear solution but rather an adaptive challenge that required an agile problem-solving approach.

Agile Problem Solving Process

Define the Problem:

• The hospital team gathered data on patient wait times and identified the key factors contributing to long wait times, including staffing issues and inefficient triage processes.
• They framed the problem as improving patient flow in the emergency department to reduce wait times and enhance patient satisfaction.

Explore Possible Solutions:

• The team held brainstorming sessions involving various stakeholders, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff.
• They generated multiple ideas, such as implementing a triage algorithm, increasing staff capacity, and improving communication among departments.
• These potential solutions were evaluated based on their feasibility, impact on wait times, and alignment with the desired outcome of enhancing patient satisfaction.

Experiment and Learn:

• The hospital team decided to conduct small-scale experiments to test the potential solutions.
• They implemented the triage algorithm on a trial basis and closely monitored the impact on patient wait times and resource utilization.
• Based on the feedback and data collected, they learned that the triage algorithm significantly reduced wait times without adding additional burden on the staff.

Adapt and Iterate:

• Building on the success of the triage algorithm, the hospital team further refined the solution.
• They continuously collected feedback from staff and patients, making adjustments to the algorithm to address any unforeseen challenges.
• The iterative approach allowed them to adapt the solution based on real-time data and feedback.

Engage Stakeholders and Foster Collaboration:

• Throughout the process, the hospital team actively engaged and communicated with various stakeholders.
• They held regular meetings to update staff on the progress and seek input on potential improvements.
• By involving all relevant parties, they fostered collaboration and ensured that the solution was well-received and supported by the entire department.

Continuously Improve:

• The hospital team implemented mechanisms for continuous improvement.
• They regularly reviewed the data on patient wait times and adjusted the triage algorithm to address any emerging patterns or issues.
• The culture of continuous learning and adaptation promoted a proactive approach to problem-solving and ensured that the hospital remained responsive to any changes.

Lessons Learned

This case study demonstrates how agile problem-solving techniques can effectively address adaptive challenges in healthcare. By applying an iterative approach and involving stakeholders throughout the process, the hospital was able to reduce patient wait times and improve overall patient satisfaction. The key takeaway is that agility and adaptability are crucial in solving complex problems in dynamic industries like healthcare.

Example 2: Agile Problem Solving in Technology Startups

A technology startup was facing the adaptive challenge of rapidly changing customer demands. They needed to pivot their product strategy to remain competitive in the market.

• The startup team conducted market research to understand the evolving needs and preferences of their target customers.
• They identified the key areas where their product was falling short in meeting customer expectations.
• The problem was framed as redefining the product strategy to align with changing customer demands.
• The team organized cross-functional workshops to encourage diverse perspectives and generate potential solutions.
• Through brainstorming sessions, they came up with ideas such as enhancing product features, exploring new target markets, and improving customer support.
• The potential solutions were evaluated based on their feasibility, potential impact on customer satisfaction, and alignment with the startup’s long-term goals.
• The startup team decided to implement several small-scale experiments to test the potential solutions.
• They rolled out the enhanced product features to a subset of customers and closely monitored their feedback and usage patterns.
• Through continuous experimentation and learning, they gained valuable insights into customer preferences and the features that had the most significant impact on customer satisfaction.
• Building on the feedback and data collected, the startup team iteratively refined their product strategy.
• They made necessary adjustments to the product features based on real-time usage data and customer feedback.
• The iterative approach allowed them to adapt to changing customer demands and preferences more effectively.
• The startup team actively engaged with their customers, seeking their input and feedback throughout the process.
• They also involved internal stakeholders, such as developers, designers, and marketers, to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• This inclusive approach fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• The startup implemented a feedback loop mechanism to continuously gather customer feedback and integrate it into their product development process.
• They regularly reviewed the market trends and competition to stay ahead of changing customer demands.
• The emphasis on continuous learning and improvement played a crucial role in the startup’s ability to adapt quickly and effectively.

This case study highlights the power of agile problem-solving techniques in the context of technology startups. By embracing an iterative and experimental approach, the startup was able to pivot their product strategy and successfully meet the evolving needs of their customers. The key takeaway is that agility, adaptability, and customer-centricity are essential in addressing adaptive challenges in dynamic industries like technology.

In today’s rapidly changing and complex world, organizations face numerous adaptive challenges that cannot be solved using traditional problem-solving approaches. These challenges require a more agile and adaptable approach to problem-solving - one that can effectively address the complexities and uncertainties inherent in these situations.

Throughout this blog post, we have explored the concept of adaptive challenges and the importance of agile problem solving techniques. We have seen that adaptive challenges are often characterized by their complexity, ambiguity, and the need for innovative thinking. Traditional problem-solving methods, which rely on predefined solutions and linear thinking, may not be effective in solving these challenges.

Agile problem solving, on the other hand, offers a dynamic and iterative approach that is well-suited for tackling adaptive challenges. It borrows principles and values from agile software development and applies them to problem-solving processes. By adopting an experimental mindset, encouraging diverse perspectives, and continuously learning from feedback, organizations can navigate through adaptive challenges more effectively.

The agile problem-solving process outlined in this blog post provides a framework for addressing adaptive challenges. By defining the problem, exploring possible solutions, experimenting and learning, adapting and iterating, engaging stakeholders, and continuously improving, organizations can develop innovative and impactful solutions.

Real-life case studies and practical examples have illustrated how organizations have successfully utilized agile problem-solving techniques to address adaptive challenges. These examples have shown the power of embracing flexibility and collaboration, as well as the importance of learning from both successes and failures. They highlight the need to create a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, where stakeholders are empowered to contribute their ideas and expertise.

In conclusion, by adopting agile problem solving techniques, organizations can enhance their ability to address adaptive challenges in a rapidly changing world. By embracing agility, collaboration, and continuous learning, organizations can overcome complexities, identify innovative solutions, and ultimately thrive in today’s dynamic business environment. So, let us encourage the application of agile problem solving techniques in our own organizations and embrace the transformative power of agile problem solving.

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Addressing Current Challenges with Innovative Problem-Solving Techniques

Adaptive or innovative: what kind of thinker are you?

View or edit this activity in your CPD log.

How you – and the people around you – think matters to the success of your project. There’s a reason why some people embrace certain changes while others resist them, or why an energising role for one person drains another.

So many factors in a project ride or die on your cognitive style more than skills, project controls or governance. People can be broadly divided into two camps when it comes to their thinking style: adaptive or innovative.

Adaptive thinkers

Adaptive thinkers tend to produce fewer ideas, but their ideas are well thought-through, relevant and safe for immediate use. They have a high success rate due to the thorough analysis that’s gone into them.

They enjoy routine and prefer work that requires precision, a methodical approach and attention to detail. Adaptive thinkers welcome change that improves the current paradigm or systems – i.e. ‘doing the same things better’.

They stick within the rules when solving problems and rarely challenge them. They seek consensus and look to maintain continuity and stability in groups. They welcome clarity of group norms and are prudent with authority.

Within organisations, they play an integral role in managing current systems, but in periods of radical change, struggle to regroup established roles.

Innovative thinkers

Innovative thinkers tend to produce a lot of ideas that are less thought-through. Some may be radical, possibly risky, but they accept the risk of failure for ideas – they’ll always have more of them.

They prefer varied work that avoids routine and enables tangential thinking. They like to look at the big picture and rarely obsess over the detail. They welcome change and are happy to break with the current paradigm or systems. They alter, break or challenge rules and norms to solve problems.

In settled groups they can be a catalyst. They’re comfortable with speaking up and are ready to criticise authority when necessary and appropriate.

In organisations, innovative thinkers play an integral role in managing radical change but struggle to apply themselves in times of stability.

How to manage thinking styles

These thinking styles sit on a sliding scale, measured by the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI). Adaptive and innovative thinkers can break with their tendencies if motivated to do so. But people at different ends of the scale can inevitably clash if it’s not managed well .

“The KAI style range is over 100 points,” says Paul Erricker, director of The Project Academy and project management performance coach. “However, a difference of just 20 points between individuals or groups can produce predictable collaboration issues.”

He remembers an example from his coaching, where things were getting increasingly tense between a project leader and their technical team. The team were resisting the implementation of new technology that, as far as the project leader was concerned, was straightforward and low risk.

“What was radical to the technology team was seen as the industry norm to the leader. The KAI team coaching revealed that the leader was more innovative in KAI style, whereas all of the senior technical function team were medium-high adaptors. The KAI coaching ultimately eased this ‘style tension’, enabling the parties to better understand each other’s perspectives.”

That is the key to managing thinking styles; understanding your own and that of your team. “Both adaptors and innovators run the risk of perceiving their different behaviours as a matter of competence level, not personal thinking style,” says Ericker. “This is dangerous, as collaboration breakdown can quickly follow.

Adaptors may falsely judge innovators as sloppy, careless, reckless, inconsiderate of rules and group norms, and distracted from the task at hand. Innovators may falsely judge adaptors as stuck in the weeds, slow to embrace change, unnecessarily inflexible and closed to new ideas. But once project teams understand their style differences, the diversity of the team becomes respected and used to great advantage.”

Paul Ericker goes into KAI in more detail in the Spring edition of Project journal  available free to all APM members .

Image: MaDedee/Shutterstock.com

Mark Rowland is a senior writer on the Project editorial team. He has worked as a business journalist and editor for 15 years, and has won awards for his writing and editing. He has also worked in project and product management, overseeing the launch and continuous development of new websites and publications.  Project  is the official journal of the Association for Project Management (APM).

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Home » SEL Implementation » Nurturing Cognitive Flexibility: How IEP Goals Can Support Social Emotional Learning

Nurturing Cognitive Flexibility: How IEP Goals Can Support Social Emotional Learning

Key takeaways:.

• Cognitive flexibility is vital for problem-solving, decision-making, and social interactions.
• IEP goals tailored to cognitive flexibility nurture adaptive thinking and emotional resilience.
• Collaboration, individualized instruction, and monitoring progress are crucial for successful implementation.

Introduction: Nurturing Cognitive Flexibility: How IEP Goals Can Support Social-Emotional Learning

In today’s post, we will explore the importance of cognitive flexibility in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals can support the development of this crucial skill. Let’s dive in!

I. Introduction

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a framework that promotes the development of essential social and emotional skills in individuals. These skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Cognitive flexibility, a key component of SEL, plays a vital role in problem-solving, decision-making, social interactions, and emotional well-being.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a personalized plan designed for students with special needs to support their academic, social, and emotional growth. By incorporating cognitive flexibility into IEP goals, educators can provide targeted interventions and strategies to nurture this skill in students.

II. Understanding Cognitive Flexibility

Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to adapt and shift thinking in response to new information or changing circumstances. It involves being open-minded, considering multiple perspectives, and adjusting one’s thoughts and actions accordingly. This skill is essential for problem-solving and decision-making, as it allows individuals to consider different approaches and solutions.

In the context of social interactions, cognitive flexibility enables individuals to understand and empathize with others’ perspectives, leading to more effective communication and collaboration. Moreover, cognitive flexibility contributes to emotional well-being by allowing individuals to regulate their emotions and adapt to challenging situations.

III. Incorporating Cognitive Flexibility in IEP Goals

IEP goals play a crucial role in supporting students with special needs. By incorporating cognitive flexibility into these goals, educators can provide targeted interventions and strategies to nurture this skill. Here are specific IEP goals that can help develop cognitive flexibility:

1. Goal 1: Enhancing perspective-taking skills

By setting a goal to enhance perspective-taking skills, educators can help students understand and appreciate different viewpoints. This can be achieved through activities such as role-playing, discussions, and analyzing real-life scenarios. Encouraging students to consider alternative perspectives fosters cognitive flexibility and empathy.

2. Goal 2: Promoting adaptive thinking and problem-solving strategies

Setting a goal to promote adaptive thinking and problem-solving strategies encourages students to explore various approaches to solve problems. Educators can teach students different problem-solving techniques and provide opportunities for them to apply these strategies in real-life situations. This goal nurtures cognitive flexibility by challenging students to think outside the box.

3. Goal 3: Encouraging flexibility in social interactions

Encouraging flexibility in social interactions is crucial for students with special needs. Setting a goal to develop flexible social skills involves teaching students how to adapt their communication and behavior in different social contexts. Role-playing activities and social scripts can be used to practice and reinforce flexible social interactions.

4. Goal 4: Developing self-regulation and emotional flexibility

Self-regulation and emotional flexibility are essential for managing emotions and adapting to changing situations. Setting a goal to develop these skills involves teaching students strategies for self-calming, emotional regulation, and flexibility in response to challenging emotions. Mindfulness exercises and reflection activities can support the development of self-regulation and emotional flexibility.

IV. Strategies for Implementing IEP Goals

Implementing IEP goals requires collaboration among educators, students, parents, and other professionals. Here are some strategies to effectively implement cognitive flexibility goals:

A. Collaborating with the student, parents, and other professionals

Engaging students, parents, and other professionals in the goal-setting process ensures that everyone is aligned and invested in the student’s progress. Regular communication and collaboration allow for a holistic approach to support cognitive flexibility development.

B. Individualized instruction and interventions

Adapting instruction and interventions to meet the unique needs of each student is crucial. Educators should consider the student’s strengths, interests, and learning style when designing activities and interventions to promote cognitive flexibility.

C. Incorporating real-life scenarios and role-playing activities

Real-life scenarios and role-playing activities provide practical opportunities for students to apply cognitive flexibility skills. By simulating real-world situations, students can practice adapting their thinking and behavior in a safe and supportive environment.

D. Providing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment

Reflection and self-assessment activities allow students to evaluate their progress and identify areas for growth. By encouraging students to reflect on their thinking, problem-solving strategies, and social interactions, educators can support the development of metacognitive skills and self-awareness.

V. Monitoring and Assessing Progress

Ongoing monitoring and assessment are essential to track students’ progress and make informed decisions about their IEP goals. Here are some strategies for monitoring and assessing cognitive flexibility development:

A. Importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment

Regular monitoring and assessment provide valuable insights into students’ growth and help educators make data-driven decisions. By collecting and analyzing data, educators can identify areas of strength and areas that require additional support.

B. Utilizing data collection tools and progress monitoring techniques

Data collection tools and progress monitoring techniques, such as checklists, rating scales, and observations, can provide objective information about students’ cognitive flexibility skills. These tools help educators track progress over time and make adjustments to interventions as needed.

C. Adjusting IEP goals based on individual needs and progress

IEP goals should be flexible and responsive to students’ individual needs and progress. Regular review and adjustment of goals ensure that they remain relevant and meaningful. Educators should consider students’ feedback, assessment data, and input from other professionals when modifying IEP goals.

VI. Benefits of Nurturing Cognitive Flexibility through IEP Goals

Nurturing cognitive flexibility through IEP goals can have numerous benefits for students with special needs. Here are some potential outcomes:

A. Improved social interactions and relationships

Developing cognitive flexibility enhances students’ ability to understand and adapt to social cues, leading to improved social interactions and relationships. Students become more effective communicators, collaborators, and problem-solvers.

B. Enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills

Cognitive flexibility is closely linked to problem-solving and decision-making abilities. By nurturing this skill, students become more adept at considering multiple perspectives, generating creative solutions, and making informed decisions.

C. Increased emotional resilience and adaptability

Cognitive flexibility supports emotional resilience and adaptability. Students learn to regulate their emotions, cope with stress, and adapt to changing circumstances. This skill empowers students to navigate challenges and setbacks with greater ease.

VII. Conclusion

Incorporating cognitive flexibility into IEP goals is a powerful way to support students’ social emotional learning. By setting specific goals, implementing targeted strategies, and monitoring progress, educators can nurture cognitive flexibility and empower students with special needs to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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That actually explain what's on your next test, adaptive reasoning, from class:, quantum leadership.

Adaptive reasoning refers to the ability to apply knowledge and problem-solving skills in flexible ways to new and varied situations. It emphasizes creative thinking, the capacity to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, and the agility to shift approaches as circumstances change. In organizations, particularly quantum organizations, this type of reasoning is vital for fostering innovation and collaboration in an ever-evolving environment.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

• Adaptive reasoning is crucial in quantum organizations where uncertainty and rapid change are common.
• This reasoning allows individuals to break out of rigid thought patterns and approach problems with fresh perspectives.
• In measuring creativity, adaptive reasoning serves as an indicator of how well individuals can connect ideas and concepts in innovative ways.
• Organizations that encourage adaptive reasoning often see improved team dynamics, as members feel empowered to share unique viewpoints.
• Training in adaptive reasoning techniques can enhance overall organizational creativity, making teams more resilient to challenges.

Review Questions

• Adaptive reasoning enhances creativity by enabling individuals to think flexibly and approach problems from various angles. In quantum organizations, where change is constant, this skill encourages team members to brainstorm innovative solutions and adapt their ideas based on feedback. By valuing adaptive reasoning, organizations create an environment where creative thinking thrives, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
• Collaborative problem-solving plays a significant role in enhancing adaptive reasoning by bringing together diverse perspectives and skills. When team members engage in discussions and share their unique insights, they challenge each other's thought processes and encourage flexibility in thinking. This interaction not only strengthens individual adaptive reasoning but also fosters a culture of innovation, where teams can quickly pivot and respond effectively to emerging challenges.
• Promoting adaptive reasoning within an organization significantly boosts its capacity for innovation and competitiveness. By encouraging employees to think creatively and adaptively, organizations can respond swiftly to market changes and customer needs. This proactive approach leads to the development of novel products and services, enhancing market positioning. Ultimately, fostering a culture of adaptive reasoning not only drives internal growth but also positions the organization as a leader in its industry.

Related terms

Creativity : The ability to generate new ideas, approaches, or solutions that are original and effective.

Collaborative problem-solving : A process where individuals work together to find solutions to complex issues, leveraging diverse perspectives and skills.

Agility : The capacity to quickly adapt and respond to changes in the environment or market demands.

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