If you were engaged in a leadership role a few years ago when COVID effectively shut down in-person events, you've probably heard phrases like "how can we adapt?" and "we need to adapt" frequently. Adaptability is a useful skill beyond its applications during disaster situations - in families, communities, workplaces, and in Toastmasters.
What is adaptability? Adaptability is defined as an ability or willingness to change in order to suit different conditions. That doesn't sound difficult, but often it's our willingness to change which causes us to stumble in this. We're frequently stuck in "we've always done it this way", whether it's following the district traditions as they've been for the past 20 years, or or simply updating last year's success plan, incentives and budget to reflect the current year's numbers and requirements without any further thought. Following past traditions isn't wrong, and these can have value, but they can also lead to a culture of complacency rather than adaptability.
Why is adaptability important? That answer could lead to a much longer story, but if you look at something as simple as women gaining the right to join Toastmasters in 197x, or the prevalence of cell phones, it's easy to see that change is inevitable. It's also beneficial much of the time. Can you imagine how your district would look and function differently with only male members and wall-mounted landline telephones? By adapting to and implementing new ideas, we allow ourselves to flourish rather than just exist, and create opportunity for new advancements and innovations.
How can you create a culture of adaptability in your district? The answer sounds clear - keep an open mind, listen, and apply new learnings. Those things aren't quite as easy to do as they are to say. However, if we welcome conversations with our members and with other leaders, genuinely listen to understand, and openly consider how new ideas might add value, adaptability follows naturally. You'll discover that as new ideas come up, it makes sense to reassess existing habits and see what really best serves your district's needs in 2024-25.
How is this useful? Toastmasters has changed over the last 100 years, and we're still changing. So are you, and so are your district's needs. By giving attention to new possibilities, you create a bridge to the younger or newer members who will lead your district in years to come. You create an open dialogue of innovation so new ideas are readily implemented. Best of all, you create a path forward for your district into the future.
How can you create a culture of adaptability in your district?