North American Executive Issue 101 2024 | Page 26

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Adaptability in the workplace is not about constantly changing one ’ s core values or principles . Instead , it involves the ability to adjust strategies and approaches to effectively respond to shifting circumstances while staying true to fundamental principles and the desired outcomes , continuously . The world and business environment are constantly changing , and we must be able to change along . The essence of adaptability lies in the willingness to accept that despite the extensive experience , one never truly knows everything . What worked five years ago may not work now – but demonstrating the courage and curiosity to explore alternative approaches is the key . It is not about having all the answers but rather about being curious and open to new information and being eager to always expand the knowledge . It is also about the willingness to continue learning throughout one ’ s career , even at a senior level . The most successful CEOs and business leaders that I know are constantly seeking out knowledge from those around them and from formal opportunities for education ( executive education programs or seminars ).
The power of self-discipline and organization
Successful individuals often share another trait : being organized and disciplined about their time . Organizational skills encompass essential soft skills that enable individuals to effectively manage expectations , stay alert and on top of tasks , and consistently deliver results in a timely manner . It ’ s not about waking up every day at 5am ( though apparently it is a trait most successful executives share ), but rather about an overall self-discipline on effective planning and managing one ’ s day . Even though industry leaders often attribute their success , in part , to their early-rising habits , this does not mean that everyone must become an early bird . What ’ s essential is the ability to structure and manage time efficiently , ensuring that daily objectives are met , tasks are completed , so that by the end of the day , the planned tasks are executed to the best of one ’ s ability .
Effective organizational skills are even more important for geographically distributed teams , larger companies , and global workforces , particularly when collaborative projects involve numerous contributors , and tasks are carried out across different time zones .
Developing strong organizational skills is an ongoing process ; if one is lacking such skills , they can be fostered by creating systematic work processes and structures - provide the teams and individuals with new responsibilities or challenges , such as time management and organization , and assign them tasks related to organizing progressively more complex projects over time .
An important aside , that only through self-discipline and careful time management , can you also live a fulfilling life outside of immediate work and allocate time to devote to your hobbies and pursuits and spend time with family and friends .
Emotional intelligence
In today ’ s professional landscape , emotional intelligence , otherwise also called EQ , is a critical asset for effective leadership and teamwork . While being highly skilled in a particular field is commendable , it is insufficient when it comes to leading an organization or managing large , multinational teams . Emotional intelligence is the key to understanding and effectively working with people .
Emotional intelligence is both an ability to understand and manage your own emotions while also comprehending the emotions of those around you . Individuals with high emotional intelligence can identify how they are feeling , what those feelings mean , and how their emotions and behaviors impact others . But on an even more basic level , individuals often talk past each other , not really comprehending the point the other side is trying to make . Individuals with high
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