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PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

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Chapter 4<br />

Creat<strong>in</strong>g Personal Power<br />

Through Behavioral<br />

Adaptability<br />

What is it?<br />

Behavioral adaptability is the key to success with the diff erent types.<br />

With adaptability, we can treat the other person the way he wants to be<br />

treated. We defi ne it as the will<strong>in</strong>gness and ability to engage <strong>in</strong> a range of<br />

behaviors not necessarily characteristic of your style <strong>in</strong> response to effectively<br />

deal<strong>in</strong>g with the requirements of a situation or relationship. Behavioral<br />

adaptability is someth<strong>in</strong>g applied more to yourself (to your patterns,<br />

attitudes, and habits) than to others. It <strong>in</strong>volves mak<strong>in</strong>g strategic<br />

adjustments to your methods of communicat<strong>in</strong>g and behav<strong>in</strong>g, based on<br />

the particular needs of the relationship at a particular time. Adaptable<br />

people try to meet the expectations of others by practic<strong>in</strong>g tact. Th ey<br />

make the choice to go beyond their own comfort zone so others feel<br />

more comfortable—especially with the derived results.<br />

What adaptability isn’t<br />

Adaptability does not mean imitation of the other person’s behavioral<br />

style. It does mean adjust<strong>in</strong>g your Openness and Directness <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with<br />

73

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