How to Feed, Use, and Build Your Adaptability Talent
Every strength moves through seasons—times to nurture, apply, and expand it. Yet we often treat our strengths as if they’re already fully formed. In truth, your strengths are where you’re most ripe for growth—and they’ll need different things at different moments.
That’s where this framework comes in:
Feed your strength when it’s burned out, underutilized, or out of alignment
Use your strength to move something forward or meet a challenge
Build your strength by refining it, expanding it, or working with its blind spots
Understanding which mode you’re in helps you respond with the right kind of attention—so your strength doesn’t just stay active, it becomes more powerful, sustainable, and effective over time.
Let’s explore how this plays out with “Adaptability”.
Feed: Regain Your Ground
When “Adaptability” is drained or overwhelmed, it can feel like:
You’re constantly reacting but never really choosing
Other people’s needs pull you in every direction
You’re flexible, but exhausted
You don’t have a clear sense of what you want anymore
Ways to feed it:
Reconnect to your center. What feels true to you right now?
Create quiet space with no input, no requests, no distractions
Set gentle boundaries; not to resist change, but to protect your energy
Reflection prompt:
Where am I bending too far or too often—and what would it look like to anchor myself more firmly?
Use: Bring Calm to Chaos
“Adaptability” thrives in the present moment. You help others stay steady in uncertainty and move forward without panic.
Use it when:
Plans change unexpectedly
Others are spiraling or overwhelmed
The situation needs someone grounded, calm, and responsive
Ways to use it:
Offer confidence in the unknown: “We can figure this out.”
Model flexibility without fear
Support others in adjusting while honoring what matters most
Strengths-based prompt:
How can I help someone breathe and adjust today?
Build: Stay Flexible Under Pressure
Building “Adaptability” means learning how to bring your calm, grounded presence not just to everyday change—but to high-stakes, high-pressure, or emotionally charged situations where others may falter.
Unbuilt, this talent can drift into:
Always saying yes and losing yourself in others’ needs
Avoiding commitment to keep options open
Blending in instead of showing up with leadership
How to build and stretch it:
Step into moments of uncertainty or pressure and stay centered; lead through the change, not just within it
Practice speaking up when plans shift. Not just adjusting, but influencing what happens next
Pair with “Strategic”, “Command”, “Self-Assurance” or “Responsibility” to direct the flow rather than drift in it
Build trust by being the steady presence when others are overwhelmed. Your strength isn’t just personal, it’s powerful for the team
Stretch prompt:
Where am I being invited to bring my calm into a situation that’s chaotic, uncertain, or emotionally charged?
Blind spot check:
Am I adapting to stay safe or adapting to lead?
Ready to Work With Your Talents?
If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or unsure how to lead in a way that actually feels like you—your strengths might hold the key. When you understand and work with your natural talents (instead of trying to force a style that doesn’t fit), everything shifts: your clarity, your confidence, and your impact.
Not sure what your top strengths are?
👉 Take the CliftonStrengths® assessment to discover your unique talent profile.
Curious how strengths coaching could support you or your team?
Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session to see if it’s the right fit. We’ll talk about your goals, explore how your strengths show up in your leadership or work, and map out your next step.
