John Gallucci Jr., MS, ATC, PT, DPT, is the dynamic CEO of JAG Physical Therapy.
You can feel it.
It’s blaring from the headlines, talked about in break rooms and debated in Slack channels.
The anxiety is practically palpable. People are worried about losing their jobs or having their jobs restructured in ways that they can’t adapt to.
According to a recent survey of American workers, 81% of respondents fear job loss this year, including 20% who say they are “much more worried” about unemployment than last year.
Unfortunately, their anxiety may not be entirely unwarranted.
A Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey of consumer expectations found that consumers say there is a 44% probability that the nation’s jobless rate will increase in the following year.
Of course, these are sentiments, not facts. Nothing is guaranteed, but few things stay the same. Employees need to embrace that right now.
The most consistent thing in life is change. The better we adapt to change, the stronger a person and professional we will become.
So, how can you cultivate this essential skill of adaptability and secure your professional future? Here are three steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for whatever is ahead.
1. Understand Your Industry’s Trajectory
Business leaders know that change is coming or is already here.
Accenture’s most recent Pulse of Change survey found that 72% of business leaders expect more change in 2025 compared to 2024, while 23% expect the rate of change to stay the same.
Practically no one (just 4% of survey respondents) believes less change is imminent.
As a result, you should expect your industry, sector and company to change the following year.
However, you can’t adapt effectively if you don’t know what you’re adapting to.
Specifically, pay close attention to emerging workflow trends, productivity tools and technological advancements reshaping your field.
Are there new regulations on the horizon? Are customer expectations shifting? Is automation changing required skill sets?
This requires ongoing curiosity and a commitment to looking beyond your immediate tasks. It allows you to anticipate changes and position yourself proactively, demonstrating value and remaining relevant even when roles, responsibilities and priorities change.
2. Commit To Continuous, Relevant Education
Adaptation requires learning.
No, that doesn’t mean you have to go back to school. Learning can take many forms.
You may need to enroll in a new or advanced degree program. It’s more likely that you need to seek out projects that stretch your capabilities, volunteer for cross-departmental initiatives, learn from colleagues and embrace on-the-job training.
You can also read industry publications, attend workshops and take online courses to bolster your awareness, credentials and change-readiness.
Whether or not you’re anxious about change, you should commit to being a lifelong learner. It will make you better at your job today and prepare you for inevitable twists and turns that occur along the way.
3. Be Visible And Proactive
Adaptability doesn’t happen in secret.
You need to be visible, proactive and willing to step forward.
This means leveraging your network, demonstrating perseverance through challenges and maintaining self-motivation.
Put differently, don’t hide in the background. Get involved, share your insights and connect with people who can help you navigate the changing landscape. Attend industry events, contribute to discussions and seek out mentors who can offer guidance.
It’s the best way to build your reputation as an agile professional while staying abreast of the latest ideas and opportunities at your company or within your industry.
Change Ready
Something I learned at an early age, and which has been reinforced throughout my career, is that the most consistent thing in life is change. It’s an inescapable reality of our personal and professional lives.
The world doesn’t stand still, and neither should we.
How well we adapt and how readily we assimilate to change will determine our resilience and readiness for whatever comes next.
Simply put, accept that change is constant, learn to navigate it, and you’ll be well-equipped to thrive, no matter what the future holds.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
