Darwin is not relevant to your survival

You can’t go very far in the field of Adaptability without stumbling across Darwin’s quote about how it's not the strongest or most intelligent that will survive but those most adaptable to change. But even though nearly nine million species prove that theory every day, there’s a problem (apart from whether Darwin actually said it).

The problem is that the mechanism by which organisms adapt has got almost nothing to do with way that organisations need to adapt. And here’s why:

In a nutshell, Natural Selection is largely the process by which random genetic mutations – such as camouflage or beak shape – confer a competitive advantage that improves a species’ ability to survive.

But if you tried to adapt your organisation that way, you would quickly become extinct. That’s because the traits you need to create a culture of adaptability are the curiosity to see the need or opportunity for change, the courage to risk doing something new and the velocity to turn quickly. None of which are required or evident in the process of natural selection.

Yes, some of the best inventions have, like random mutations, happened by accident – like Fleming's discovery of penicillin.

But any organisation that believes that the change it needs will just happen by chance and slowly – rather than at the speed the market is moving – will find itself naturally selected out of the gene pool.

Rich Alderton specialises in Adaptability Intelligence, so to learn how to become more adaptable call us on 07873 823 800, email us or complete our enquiry form.

And you can download Rich's new e-book here.