(Why) I've created a podcast. ...& Episode #1: Adaptability

After 15+ years of writing articles, papers, and presentations on?building & developing?people & organizations, I’m trying a new medium — audio!

I’m excited to launch?The?People Assured Podcast, the aim of which is twofold:

• To discuss and exchange ideas on building core skills — non-technical?skills that help us to work well with others, manage ourselves, adjust to change, and (hopefully!) grow in?confidence
• ?To share information with a?diverse audience — including global companies, schools, and youth organizations — in a digestible and accessible form,

It’s taken a few months of learning and navigating the world of writing for audio, understanding differences between the written versus spoken voice, recording and (much!) editing, producing podcast artwork, intro/outros, understanding how to get listed in directories, and other technical and creative things I knew little about. Thanks to all who shared ideas for topics, and helped and encouraged me bring this to fruition.?

You can find the podcast on my LinkedIn profile page (above). I’ll also include a link in the post that accompanies this article.

Podcast topics will include core skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. As the series progresses, I plan to?invite guests to join me to share their ideas and experiences on developing core skills and building teams across their organizations.?

In Episode #1 (precis below), I discuss?Adaptability?— an ability to adjust and a willingness to change to meet different?conditions.

I hope you enjoy it! If you find the podcast useful, please follow/subscribe and share with friends.

Best wishes, Ian.

Episode #1 (precis): Adaptability

If you?know someone who seems to handle changes well, be it moving priorities, changes to projects, technology, or personnel, that person is demonstrating skills in?adaptability?— which requires both a willingness and an ability to change to meet different conditions.

Being able to adapt to new challenges?allows us to?deal more effectively with ambiguity and uncertainty. If we can do it well — it creates an advantage for us, and in tandem can lower?stress.

Having goals and a direction is important,?but how we get to our destination depends on what we encounter along the way.??If you expect that you’ll need to adapt your?approach and adjust your plan, you will?have created a growth mindset. This?means you’re more likely to be open to suggestions. By being an adaptable leader,?you help to create a better workplace environment and boost morale.

Listen to podcast Episode #1 for further ideas and research on developing the skills to become more adaptable.

Bibliography (links):?

https://your.yale.edu/learn-and-grow-what-adaptability-workplace

https://www.theforage.com/blog/skills/adaptability

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2015/09/03/14-signs-of-an-adaptable-person/?sh=7b226b4d16ea

https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2019/september/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/adaptability

https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/

https://www.aigroup.com.au/resourcecentre/resource-centre-blogs/hr-blogs/why-adaptability-skills-are-hot-on-the-hiring-list/

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-into-the-unknown

https://magazine.wharton.upenn.edu/digital/holding-on-and-letting-go/

https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-benefits-and-importance-of-a-support-system/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/habits-capabilities-successful-business-partners-ian-foster/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/habits-successful-business-partners-part-2-what-do-leaders-ian-foster/