Whether you’re on the basketball court or the business boardroom, leaders have to be able to adapt constantly. Changes are coming at you at a rapid pace. You have to be prepared to adapt to what’s coming at you.
On the basketball court, you must assess your opponent’s moves, where they’re going next (hockey great Wayne Gretzky always said to skate to where the puck will be next), and how they will respond to your movement. In the boardroom, you may have to assess your team’s feelings, what a competitor is planning, and more.
Learning to adapt to these situations is crucial to a business moving forward. Are you able to constantly adapt?

Photo by Loic Leray on Unsplash
4 Ways To Constantly Adapt
In Coach K’s MasterClass session on leading, he shared 4 ways leaders can constantly adapt. These are powerful moves you can take on the court, in the boardroom, or with your family. Here’s how to constantly adapt.
A leader, in order to adapt, has to constantly be aware of his environment.
-Coach K.
Be willing to listen:
By listening, you can hear and discover what’s coming next. You get to learn what’s going on, who’s doing what, and where the next move will be.
You also need to listen to your people. What are they saying? Do they need anything? Are they sharing any pain, hurt, or frustration?
Listen to your competition and to your team members.
Ask for input:
Take the time to ask those around you what needs to be done. Or maybe you need to ask them what they need. Or it could be what they think could be changed.
By asking for input, you show that you value the people around you. You’re listening and applying what they’re saying. It’s a massive boost to your team.
Remember, though, that even if someone gives input, you don’t have to apply the input to your organization. Sometimes, it’s enough to be heard.
Know the goal:
Do you know what the goal of your organization is? Is it to become the largest furniture manufacturer in the world? To change the world through technology? To make employees’ lives better?
Knowing the organization’s goal lets you track whether you’re heading toward the goal. If you see your organization going away from the goal, you can adapt your strategy to get back on course.
Know the goal. Make sure you have your eye on the goal. By getting it front and center, you’ll know where, when, and how to adapt.
Know the Time Frame:
Understand what the time frame for success looks like. If it is far off in the future, you have a lot more time to get things done. Maybe adapting right now isn’t the best idea.
However, if the time frame to accomplish the goals you’re pursuing is right around the corner and you feel like you’re not going to achieve it in time, you may look at extreme ways to adapt.
The time frame can dictate what needs to be done and when. It can even push forward or invigorate adaptation.
Know the time frame so you know what you have to do.