Countdown to 250: American Adaptability

“While not consciously fighting a European war, Clinton was weighed down by the habits of one. And while both he and Washington had to develop a new way of working mainly from scratch, the American proved more adept at adjusting.” 

From The Culper Ring:  A Captivating Guide to George Washington’s Spy Ring and Its Impact on the American Revolution 

*This Countdown to 250 series will examine the powerful role that early American Revolutionary leaders played in the 18th century—and the impact they can have on 21st century leadership development.  As the 250th (“semiquincentennial”) anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence draws closer, may all of us choose to positively impact those in our spheres of influence in revolutionary ways too.  

Although we covered the impact of the mysterious Culper Ring in a previous post (see The LEADing Blog “Countdown to 250: Leadership & Listening” for more details), the truth revealed in this quote highlighting the contrast of styles used by British General George Clinton and his American counterpart, Geroge Washington, bears repeating. Yes, both leaders utilized spies to gather intelligence. The two generals also employed state-of-the-art warfare techniques used in that era, and neither one wanted to lose this battle for control over the American continent. Yet somehow the ability to adapt made the critical difference for victory then—and as our team at LEADon® contends, could make all the difference in your Corporate Family’s success too. What is adaptability?  According to the Cambridge Dictionary, adaptability is an attribute that reveals someone is “able or willing to change in order to suit different conditions.” Adaptability is also one of twenty-five EQ characteristics, and the LEADon team explains that this skill set involves “flexibility in handling inevitable changes in your life” (see our blog “Adaptability—Dot by Dot” and our DECQ assessment available at www.LEADonUniversity.com). 

For George Washington, adapting to changing circumstances seemed to come naturally—perhaps a trait he acquired upon the death of his father when he was only eleven. In a few short years after that passing, Washington learned the art of surveying, soldiering (for the then British colony of Virginia), and savvy politicking—a strange array of skill sets that would eventually serve his fellow countrymen and women well (you can read more about this adaptable leader in Revolutionary Leadership:  Transcendent Lessons from the Life of George Washington). 

But Washington didn’t just employ adaptability in his leadership, he also passed that skill onto others, most especially his leadership team and everyone in his Corporate Family.  The adjustments they all made during eight long years of the American Revolution would eventually lead to their freedom as well as change the course of world history. 

What does the ability to “change in order to suit different conditions” look like in today’s world? Let’s begin by offering you a few questions for self-reflection: 

1. How do you make adjustments when professional challenges arise? 
2. How about your personal life (at LEADon, we believe exceptional leadership must begin personally)? Are you flexible when circumstances on the homefront disrupt your plans? 
3. How open is your leadership team to adjustments needed in your organization?  Is there anyone whose inflexibility is preventing unity or hindering corporate growth? 
4. Are skills like malleability and resilience cascaded throughout your organization?  If so, how?  If not, are there ways you can intentionally equip all team members in the future? 

Leadership expert and former Navy Seal Jeff Boss sums up the importance of such flexibility this way: “the need for adaptability has never been greater than it is now. The ability for people, teams, and organizations to adapt to changes in their environment, stay relevant and avoid obsolescence is the defining characteristic between success and failure, growth and stagnation, business and bankruptcy” (discover more in the article “14 Signs of An Adaptable Person” at  www.forbes.com). 

As the 250th anniversary of America’s ability to adapt to a changing world approaches, may you and your team take time to reflect, adjust, and celebrate in your own unique ways too.  If LEADon can assist you with any of your leadership needs, please feel free to contact us at 858.592.0700 or www.LEADonUniversity.com.