Adaptability: Skills for the future

1. Interdisciplinary Learning

• Jobs are transforming according to technological advancements into cross-functional roles.
• Traditional approach in learning only one area of specialty is not anymore, the way forward.
• Employees at present and in the future will be expected to have technical, social and analytical skills.
• To prepare to “live at intersections,” integrating subject areas to promote cross-disciplinary learning helps sharpen interdisciplinary adaptability as well as learning new areas and knowing how to adapt in the concepts of the different areas.

2. Resilience as key

• Encouraging resilience is one of the keys to promoting adaptability.
• Resilience refers to one’s ability to handle adversity, allowing them to deal with change in positive ways.
• A simple way to harness resilience is through engaging with others, build trusting relationships with caring adults (feel safe to explore and learn new experiences), sticking to a program (during a time of major stress, map out a routine and stick to it), taking care of self, give self a break and put things in perspective (reflection).

3. Promote Self-regulation

• Self-regulation is a process on how to manage emotions, thoughts and behaviour when faced with challenging situations.
• In a rapidly changing society, we must be able to adapt to new and unexpected changes without exhibiting negative damaging behaviours.
• Overcoming frustration to solve a difficult math problem or to remain calm when a peer is acting unfriendly, through understanding their emotions and being able to manage their thought processes, help to promote self-regulation.

4. Eliminate the Fear of Failure

• With change comes risk, and success comes from the ability to embrace failure.
• Eliminating fear of failure can start by recognizing effort, establishing a judgment-free zone and building community among peers.
• Being afraid to fail hinders motivation to learn, which can negatively impact the ability to adapt to changes in their future roles.

5. Encourage Continuous Learning

• Learning becomes boring and mundane when the meaning behind the process is not clearly understood.
• Having to understand the meaning and curiosity behind learning helps promote better learning.
• Example, If I am unable to understand the reason behind learning math, I will simply hate math. But If I understand the reason behind doing math and curious to find the solutions in math, I will learn to love math.
• The key is to look beyond extrinsic motivations, like grades and recognition, and tap into the intrinsic rewards of learning.

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