Adaptability

Building Confidence Through Change and Growth.

Adaptability helps learners respond to new situations, adjust to change, and communicate effectively in different real-world contexts. It supports meaningful skill development by strengthening flexibility, problem-solving, confidence, and the ability to apply language in unfamiliar situations. Through practical and learner-focused activities, learners can build resilience, stay open to new experiences, and continue progressing at every stage of their learning journey.

Change Readiness

Skills for Success defines Adaptability as the ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs. Adaptability is shown by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks.

Topics

Discover the language in Adaptability

Adaptability requires communicating with others in a way that conveys responsibility and flexibility in response to changing circumstances. It involves receptive, expressive, reading and writing, often in combination; for example:

  • Interpretive/receptive while conveying openness and willingness to consider alternative points of view and changing needs and priorities.
  • Asking questions to understand changing circumstances, evolving responsibilities, or new concepts.
  • Sharing intentions, timelines and schedules to communicate an understanding of shifting responsibilities.
  • Adjusting signing styles and choice of signs (depending on the context, audience, or formality of the communication), facial expressions and body language, and demeanor to respond effectively to different people and situations.
  • Responding to requests from others efficiently and with flexibility; giving reasons when refusing requests, and offering alternatives.
  • Negotiating priorities or the sequencing of tasks in a cooperative manner, considering the diverse needs presented by situations or individuals.
  • Finding and exploring resources and supports to adapt to instability or change.

Explore work-related examples at each CLB stage

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) describe communicative ability in English as a Second Language (ESL). The CLB organize 12 benchmarks into three stages of ability: Stage I (Basic), Stage II (Intermediate) and Stage III (Advanced).

Learners may already possess Adaptability skills but lack the English and the sign language to demonstrate them. For this reason, there is no direct correspondence between Adaptability and CLB levels.

The examples below show the language involved in demonstrating Adaptability

Demonstrating Adaptability at CLB Stage I

Use simple signed phrases and non-signed signals to convey a willingness to complete a new task.

Watch and understand brief instructions for completing a new task; respond with non-signed signals that convey interest; ask questions or request repetition or reformulation to understand.

 
Watch and understand to a simple suggestion from a co-worker to try a faster way of completing a routine task; respond with interest.
Give instructions to a new worker on how to perform a simple work task; adjust rate of signing so the employee understands.
Write a few sentences to update a supervisor about how a new work task is going.

Read a brief notice to learn the new date and time for an upcoming meeting; respond by expressing willingness to change your schedule.

Demonstrating Adaptability at CLB Stage II

Watch and read and understand the message of a team member about their needs; respond with open-ended questioning, active watching/reading, paraphrasing and summarizing to fully understand their perspective.
Respond to an irate customer with a calm demeanor; use expressions to express empathy, and open-ended questioning to learn about the details.
Watch and understand a supervisor’s feedback on work performance; respond by communicating how this feedback will influence future efforts.
Read an email request from a supervisor; respond with a polite refusal, an explanation, and an offer to consider it in the future.

Read a message from a supervisor who is off sick; respond with empathy and offer a suggestion to assist.

Demonstrating Adaptability at CLB Stage III

Watch and understand arguments for and against a departmental restructuring; contribute by paraphrasing salient points, expressing consideration for the consequences on employees, and making suggestions for a way forward.
Respond to misunderstandings, communication issues and emotional reactions at work with a calm demeanor, open-ended questions, active watching and reading and diplomacy.
Adjust your managerial style (e.g., collaborative, hands-off, authoritative) based on the particular needs of employees.
Explain a workplace change to employees; adapt, summarize and clarify information as needed, and respond to positive and negative feedback.
Find relevant resources and read to learn about the skills required in a new work role; seek additional support as required to adjust to the demands of the new role.