“Adaptability isn’t just a leadership skill—it’s your survival strategy. The best leaders aren’t reactive; they’re relentlessly prepared. They flex, reframe, and lead with clarity—especially when the pressure’s on.”
I’ve said this before, and I’ll keep saying it because it’s truer now than ever.
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We’re leading in a business environment moving at warp speed. AI is disrupting industries, hybrid work is transforming how teams connect, employee expectations are shifting, and economic volatility is creating ripple effects across every sector. The old leadership adage—what got you here won’t get you there—has never been more relevant.
Why adaptability matters now
Look at the data. According to the Spring 2025 Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey, more than half (58%) of CEOs are pessimistic about the global economy. Even optimism about their own company’s performance has dropped by 24% compared to last year. McKinsey’s June economic outlook echoed those findings, with 58% of executives saying global economic conditions are worse now than six months ago.
Behind those numbers lies a world in flux: geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies, technological disruption, and the relentless march of AI innovation. Leaders who keep waiting for stability will be waiting a long time.
Adaptability isn’t a luxury—it’s how leaders protect their businesses and their people from being left behind.
Agility and a strong culture go hand in hand
I recently came across an interview in Time with Robin Vince, CEO of BNY. His story perfectly illustrates adaptable leadership in action.
Vince has steered BNY through intense economic volatility, geopolitical upheaval, and the transformative impact of AI. His approach? Break down silos. Invest in technology. Build strategic partnerships—including one with OpenAI. Modernize both brand and infrastructure.
But equally important, Vince knows that strategy and technology alone aren’t enough. He emphasizes that resilience during uncertainty comes from “creating a sense of belonging in the company, where everybody can be here and belong, feel valued, feel that they can contribute to the team,” he says. At BNY, psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and a unified, client-first culture have become as crucial as any business strategy. That’s adaptable leadership in action.
Bouncing back from ‘no’
In my own career, resilience and adaptability have helped me get where I am today. Certainly, you won't be successful in sales if you can’t bounce back from a “no,” but resilience has also helped me challenge assumptions about my capabilities.
Early in my career, I was trying for a sales job at Integrated Industrial Information (I-Cubed), a technology startup based in Raleigh. I had gotten to the third round of interviews when I was told that my lack of a college degree was getting in the way of a job offer, despite my outstanding sales record. Instead of taking that “no,” I told the tech executive who was interviewing me, “You should consider opening your mind to a new way of doing things. I will make you a lot of money—more than anyone else you’re considering. If I don’t, you can fire me.”
I didn’t get the response I wanted at that moment, but the following day, I got a call from Grant Williard, the CEO of I-Cubed. He wanted to discuss a job offer that included mentorship and an ambitious career pathway. It was the beginning of my journey from salesperson to CEO.
The three pillars of adaptable leadership
So, how do leaders build resilience and adaptability? Here are the three pillars every executive should be focusing on right now.
1. Curiosity over control
Adaptable leaders are explorers, not experts. When you show curiosity, you create space for new ideas and innovative solutions. By asking smart questions, leaders encourage teams to speak up, challenge assumptions, and find new paths forward. Inclusive listening unlocks better ideas, sharper decisions, and stronger team performance.
Are you more focused on proving you’re right—or discovering what’s possible?
2. Resilience through change
Uncertainty is exhausting, but leaders who can stay steady when the ground shifts earn trust—and build resilient organizations. Through the following daily habits, leaders can turn resilience into a leadership reflex, not just a crisis response.
· Regular reflection to process new information without panic
· Intentional self-care to maintain mental and physical energy
· Practicing calm communication, even under stress
· Seeking diverse perspectives before making big decisions
Finally, a critical part of resilience is psychological safety. When you build a culture where employees are encouraged to share feedback, concerns and even mistakes, then team members become more willing to take risks and innovate.[FJ1] [KA2]
3. Empowered engagement
Employee engagement is the fuel for navigating change and driving innovation. Adaptability thrives in workplaces where people feel valued, trusted, and connected to a bigger purpose. To drive transformation, you need people who are willing to go above and beyond, share new ideas, and stick around through inevitable uncertainty. To build empowered engagement:
· Communicate transparently, even when the news is hard.
· Reinforce purpose and connect individual work to larger organizational goals.
· Lead with empathy and show genuine care for people’s experiences.
The leadership challenge
Adaptable leadership is the defining skill of our time. It’s the difference between companies that survive—and those that thrive.
So here’s my challenge for you: Where are you resisting change? Are you holding onto old habits because they’re comfortable? Are you avoiding hard conversations because they’re messy? Are you talking more than you listen?[FJ3]
If you’re ready to turn disruption into your competitive edge and build the habits that help you lead with confidence under pressure, join me on Tuesday, July 29, at noon EST, for a free, one-hour webinar, “Built for the Storm: How Adaptive Leaders Rise When the World Falls Apart.” This no-fluff, practical session will give you a blueprint to help you pivot, lead decisively, and stay relevant.
The future belongs to leaders who stay curious, build resilient cultures, and empower people to engage fully—even when everything is in flux. Don’t wait for change to slow down. Get ready to lead through it.
About the Author
Donald Thompson, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 SE Award-winner, founded The Diversity Movement, a Workplace Options Company, to fundamentally transform the modern workplace through diversity-led culture change. Recognized by Inc., Fast Company and Forbes, Thompson is author of Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success, hosts the podcast “High Octane Leadership in an Empathetic World” and has published widely on leadership and the executive mindset. His latest book is The Inclusive Leadership Handbook: Balancing People and Performance for Sustainable Growth, co-authored with Kurt Merriweather, Vice President of Marketing at The Diversity Movement. Follow Thompson on LinkedIn for updates on news, events and his podcast, or contact him at info@donaldthompson.com for executive coaching and speaking engagements.