In today’s dynamic work environment, cultivating a resilient team—one that is both flexible and adaptable—is essential for sustained success. Research underscores the significance of adaptability in the workplace. For instance, a McKinsey survey highlights that 26% of employees consider adaptability a top skill need, especially among frontline and low-tenure workers (source).
Mark Workman, Executive Vice President at BFW/Marcum, offers valuable strategies for fostering resilience and adaptability within engineering teams. Drawing on his extensive leadership experience, Workman provides actionable insights that not only apply to engineering but resonate across industries.
Defining Resilience and Adaptability
Workman compares team resilience to designing a structure that balances strength and flexibility. “Resilience is the team’s ability to maintain performance and deliver solutions under the pressures of tight deadlines, evolving client needs, and complex projects,” he explains. “It’s about staying steady under pressure but agile enough to respond to change.”
Adaptability, he notes, involves more than just reacting to change; it’s about embracing it. “Adaptability ensures that the team not only survives but thrives in an ever-changing environment. It’s about leveraging new technologies, adjusting to shifting project scopes, and meeting emerging industry trends without compromising quality or creativity,” says Workman.
He further emphasizes that resilience and adaptability are not opposites but complementary traits. “Think of it like a material that is both strong and elastic. Resilience gives you the foundation, and adaptability provides the flexibility to evolve without breaking.”
Strategies for Building a Resilient Team
Resilience doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional effort and strategic planning. Workman emphasizes several key approaches to cultivating these traits within his team:
- Encouraging Multi-Disciplinary Expertise: “We encourage our engineers to expand their expertise across disciplines,” Workman explains. “This approach ensures the team can tackle challenges holistically and deliver innovative, client-focused solutions. Just like in design, the interaction of multiple systems leads to stronger outcomes.”
- Prioritizing Continuous Learning: “The engineering world evolves rapidly,” Workman says. “We prioritize ongoing education through certifications, design workshops, and training on sustainable practices. This ensures our team stays ahead of industry demands and remains prepared for the unexpected.”
- Embracing Flexible Workflows: “Agility is built into our project management processes,” he explains. “When project requirements shift, we pivot quickly without losing momentum. It’s like designing resilient materials—you need the ability to absorb stress and return to form.”
- Fostering Collaboration: “Resilience isn’t just individual; it’s collective,” says Workman. “Open communication and collaboration empower teams to tackle challenges together. By leveraging diverse perspectives, we strengthen both our solutions and our team dynamics.”
Instilling a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is foundational for adaptability. Workman’s approach to fostering this mindset focuses on creating a supportive environment where team members view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.
- Lead by Example: “I openly share my own learning experiences—both successes and failures,” Workman notes. “When leaders model adaptability, it inspires the team to embrace change confidently.”
- Celebrate Incremental Wins: “We recognize small successes, whether it’s mastering a new software feature or solving a complex problem,” he explains. “This reinforces the idea that growth is a journey, not a destination.”
- Create a Safe Space for Experimentation: “Our team knows they can take calculated risks without fear of judgment,” Workman adds. “Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities, and we analyze them collectively to understand what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve.”
- Align Growth with Client Impact: “We help our team see how adapting to challenges not only improves their skills but also delivers better outcomes for clients,” he says. “When personal growth aligns with client satisfaction, the motivation to embrace change grows exponentially.”
Real-World Examples
Workman shared a recent example of his team’s resilience in action. “During a high-pressure project with evolving client demands, our engineers quickly adapted their designs to integrate new sustainability features. This required rapid learning and collaboration across disciplines,” he recalls. “The result was a solution that exceeded client expectations while reinforcing the team’s confidence in their ability to adapt.”
He also highlights how embracing new tools has been a game-changer. “When we introduced new design software, the team initially faced a steep learning curve. However, by framing the change as an opportunity for growth and providing the necessary support, they quickly mastered the tools and enhanced their efficiency,” Workman explains.
Thriving Through Resilience and Adaptability
Building a resilient and adaptable team is no easy feat, but the rewards are substantial. A resilient team is better equipped to handle challenges, stay motivated, and deliver high-quality outcomes. Workman ties these qualities back to client success: “When our team adapts to challenges, it directly impacts client satisfaction. The ability to pivot and innovate ensures we consistently deliver exceptional results.”
As Workman aptly puts it, “Building a resilient team is like designing for seismic forces—you need a solid foundation that can flex under pressure. It’s not just about surviving challenges but thriving because of them.”
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