How adaptable are you at work?

"If you won't change for the team the team may change you." John Maxwell

With different companies coming and going now is the time to prove your worth. What kind of employee are you? Are you the team player? Are you adaptable? Now is the time to shine. If a company is thinking about downsizing, you want to avoid that chopping block!

In John Maxwell's book 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player (Nelson Publishers 2002), one of the first qualities that is mentioned is about how teachable an employee is. Is there a new program or new policy that needs learning? If there is something that breaks new ground for you then learn it. If an employee works hard and becomes skilled in one area then they can probably transfer that ability to a new area. An employee who is not teachable will have trouble with change and will never adapt.


I know in my office we all had to learn a few new things. We are all close employees . Almost like a little second family. We all have the same goals in mind so we have no problems. We have had the occasional spat just like brothers and sisters but nothing we can't fix. The other point that Maxwell makes in his book is about how emotionally secure a employee is. Emotionally secure employees seem to take change as a challenge. The insecure employee usually sees change as a threat.

Creativity is another trait that adaptable employees have. When difficult times come they find a way to achieve.

Service minded employees think of team first. Employees who are focused on themselves will find it harder to make changes for the team.

According to Maxwell to become an adaptable employee you need to get into the habit of learning. You also need to reevaluate your role. An finally think outside the lines. No sweat right? Don't worry about it. Just go with the flow and you will be alright. If you need to move your desk to the back wall of the basement along with your swingline stapler, watch out!!