Adaptive thinking as a skill has capacity to widen your potential and success at work. 

This kind of thinking is said to come with the ability to recognise unexpected situations, quickly consider various possible responses, and decide on the best one.

Faustin Mutabazi, an education enthusiast and entrepreneur in Kigali says to think adaptively, means that one has the ability to perform well. It also requires the ability to think flexibly and quickly.

In fact, it’s believed that when this principle is applied to a workplace environment, it signifies an employee’s ability to adapt to changing work conditions.

For this reason, Mutabazi says the willingness for an employee to change would definitely result in success despite the circumstances, not only in their working environment but also in their career.

Edgar Ombachi, a human resource personnel working in the education sector says someone who has the ability to perform at a high level under unpredictable and stressful circumstances, shows how able they are to get outside their comfort zone.

Studies have indicated that in order to possess this skill, one has to master other skills such as effective planning, careful monitoring of progress as well as the ability to flexibly shift thinking and behaviour to accommodate circumstantial changes.

Mutabazi says when we speak of adaptive thinking; it simply involves the ability to shift from one way of thinking, embrace diversity and other new creativities.

First, he mentions that for employees, it can start by one being curious and open-minded to always avoid being stagnant in one area and embrace the changes.

How to embrace adaptive thinking

Jackyline Iribagiza, a matron and counsellor at Martyrs Secondary School in Remera says anyone can still learn to harness adaptive thinking, irrespective of the career they are in.

This skill, she believes will help improve their performance in any domain as long as they know how to use it appropriately.

Besides, Iribagiza also points out that being able to carefully monitor your progress during a performance or practice is important as it portrays this skill.

"This vital skill means that one is able to fully monitor their performance with attention, which helps them carry out their tasks with ease,” she says.

Nick Wignall, a clinical psychologist, writer, teacher, and podcaster shows that adaptive thinking isn’t just for fighter pilots and neurosurgeons. Anyone can learn to harness the power of adaptive thinking to improve their performance in any domain that matters to them.

He encourages using deep work sprints to improve your capacity for full focus. This ingredient of adaptive thinking is the ability to carefully monitor your progress during a performance or practice leading up to one. 

The writer points to exercising your divergent thinking muscle in order to develop adaptive thinking. This involves the ability to flexibly shift your thinking and behaviour to accommodate unexpected changes in your environment.