Maximizing Campus Impact

Strategy #2: Be Adaptable

Successful organizations possess adaptability: the power to meet changing demands without losing focus. Whether dealing with revisions to project-specific requirements or a shift in the political climate of an entire campus, an adaptable organization is one with the agility to react to, address, and even anticipate necessary changes as they arise. The rewards of adaptability include continued usefulness as a campus resource; the ability to take advantage of opportunities to grow; and stronger relationships with clients, all of which contribute to greater impact.

Although on the surface they may seem to be in opposition, the qualities of adaptability and focus together provide a strong foundation for an organization. In practice, adaptability means working with clients as their needs change over time. Having a strong focus will help as decisions are made about how to handle those changing needs. Working from a firm understanding of the center's purpose, staff will be able to suggest approaches and handle modifications that do not conflict with the center's goals. The same holds true when adapting to external changes, such as new legislation affecting educational institutions or a new administration. In a case like this, a strong focus will help the organization remain true to its mission while also adjusting to different requirements and ideas.

Adaptability is equally important when an organization expands. Attracting new constituents includes understanding and being able to meet their needs, which may be quite different from the needs of current clients. An adaptable organization will be able to offer services that are desirable to potential clients. During the process of relationship-building, flexibility on the part of the center's staff may help to establish trust.

How to Get There: Suggestions from Directors

On a day to day basis, remain open to new ideas. If you find yourself doing something a certain way because it has "always" been done that way, spend a little time brainstorming new approaches. By incorporating adaptability into the everyday operations of your organization, you will create a culture of flexibility.

• Listen carefully to your clients and prospective clients. Listen to what people are actually asking for, rather than making assumptions or drawing conclusions. Ask questions to draw out the details and explore possibilities. If clients are looking for services which go beyond your focus, find an ally who can help at the moment and consider training or retraining to be able to meet similar needs in the future.
• Make professional development a priority for your staff. Technology advances rapidly, and it is important to be adaptable enough to stay abreast of changes in the field. Provide opportunities for staff to improve existing skills and develop new ones; encourage attendance at conferences, workshops, and online trainings; and allow time for staff to keep up with trade journals and experiment with new software.
• Be opportunistic and entrepreneurial. The atmosphere at a start-up company is charged with energy – partly because by its very nature, a new organization needs to be adaptable. Use adaptability to your advantage by keeping an eye out for new opportunities and seizing them when they come along. Be aware of what is happening at other universities, so that you can offer comparable services and so that you can identify areas where your center can be particularly innovative.
• Re-evaluate your organization's focus from time to time. Consider including a focus review at a yearly staff retreat. Go over projects and services from the past year, comparing them to your stated focus. If the results indicate that your core offerings are shifting, consider updating your focus – or changing the projects you select – to realign your goals with what your unit is actually doing.