When Adaptability Meets Abandonment: Navigating Change in Today's Workplace

When Adaptability Meets Abandonment: Navigating Change in Today's Workplace

I was eating with friends on Sunday afternoon when I heard about a significant uproar in an organization that had caused a damaging divide. This organization tried to find a resolution so all stakeholders could move forward, but unfortunately, the effort was not successful.

People in organizations can and may adapt to changing times by finding common ground. Unfortunately, at times, abandonment will be the choice.

The Pandemic: A Masterclass in Adaptability 🏥

If you want a real-world crash course in adaptability, think back to the COVID-19 pandemic— as a global community, we endured adaptability challenges of the highest order when the pandemic took over our lives.

I worked as a Registered Nurse at the bedside in a COVID unit caring for patients in those first years. The first 18 months were daily hard lessons of navigating uncharted waters.

The lack of knowledge of the virus, the lack of evidence to rely on for understanding the treatment, and the urgency of care made you feel like you were attempting to run up a hill made of Jello. I, as many other nurses, felt overwhelmed, defeated, and weary.

The Hidden Cost of Constant Change ⚠️

Burnout is real—
* Monday dread: your work thoughts plague your mind the night before, and you can’t sleep
*Anxiety: your heart is racing, your mind is distracted, and you don’t even know why
*Anger or negative attitudes “just because”
*Deep sighs in meetings—your “cup is empty,” staring at your phone, wanting some excuse to leave
*Headaches at any time of day
*Self-soothing excesses—mindless eating, drinking too much, staring at Netflix™ watching one episode after another and not remembering any of it

Any of this sound familiar? You are not alone.

The Great Reconsideration: What the Data Shows 📊

Flexjobs conducted a survey of more than 4,000 US professionals, and 78% were primed and ready for a job change or a career field change (Chorpenning, 2026). Why do they want to leave?

Leaders who ‘have their finger on the pulse’ of their organization know today's employees have a 360-degree mindset about optimal work experiences. The ‘grin and bear it’ mentality or the ‘all work and no play’ work ethic are attributes of work behavior of the past. The Flexjobs survey responses confirm employees’ attitudes and value-driven actions: health, work-life balance with greater flexibility, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit (Chorpenning, 2026).

Leading Through Change: A Call to Action 🎯

Today, change in business and in our lives is unsettling. Uncertainty builds with worries about job instability and how artificial intelligence will change our definitions and behavior at work.

Organizational wisdom will come from the practice, knowledge, and experience of their teams, and these assets will fill the toolbox that will help employees master the adaptability game (Junt & Shoss, 2023).

Yes, businesses seek people who have a high adaptability quotient (AQ), but to know and retain these people, leaders must authentically connect, be present, and be grateful for the team's willingness to take on the next adventure.

References

Chorpenning, K. (2026 March 3). State of the workplace study: 78% of workers ready for new jobs. Flexjobs Blog. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-workplace-study

Jundt, D. K., & Shoss, M. K. (2023). A process perspective on adaptive performance: Research insights and new directions. Group & Organization Management, 48(2), 405–435. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011231161404