ADAPTING
How important is being adaptable in my practise? After mind mapping experiences where I have had to be adaptive, I'm interested in exploring this one further.
My experiences that branched out first are:
- Adapting to a Pandemic
- Adapting to Ship Life
- Adapting to a Survival Job
"Adaptability is the personality trait that helps determine how you respond to change" (Tan, S. 2016)
In the article 'How Well Do You Handle Change? The Benefits of Being Adaptable' Shirley Tan exclaims that some psychologists "believe our ability to be adaptable is present from a very young age".
Dr Guy Winch PhD explores this theory sharing a scenario which portrays how the "youngest have varying levels of adaptability". This involves three toddlers and how each individual responds. "One cries and gives up immediately. One tries the same strategy over and over again. One tries different strategies until he finds one that eventually work." (Winch, G. PhD 2014 citied by Tan, S. 2016)
Shirley Tan poses the question? "Is adaptability something you're born with or can you learn with it?"
As performers being adaptive is integral to our practise, whether it be physically or mentally. Typically we work with numerous companies securing different contracts. Upon arrival we immediately adapt to the companies teaching methods, adapt to how different cultures communicate and adapt to the change of setting.
During a show I performed a trio with two dancers, including lifts and partner work. One dancer didn't make the quick change in time resulting in just two of us entering the stage for the performance. Our tacit knowledge (Tharp, T. 2006) and unconsious ability to improvise and work collectively ignited. We were able to perform a duet, simplify the lifts and incorporate new choreography without any preparation. After months of rehearsing and performing the trio the movement was set in our muscle memory allowing our creative mind to work in parrallel and respond to the challenges we encountered (in the now duet). With no time to conceptualise the situation, we actively experimented on stage (Kolb, D. 1984) resulting in a fulfilled audience with no expense on the company.
Something I have learnt from this experience is when facing adversity on stage, have confidence in your ability to adapt and have confidence in your affiliates abilities too.
How do performers whom struggle to adapt deal with an unforeseen circumstance on stage?
Could 'stage fright' be triggered due to a bad experience on stage? A block in their mind not allowing them to adapt?
I have applied this knowledge when once entering the stage to perform routine A and routine B's track played. We entered the stage professionally, and our muscle memory knew exactly where to be and how to adapt. Collectively as a team, we confidently performed to a professional standard thanks to our adaptive nature.
The Platinum Rule
(Alessandra, T. 1995)
"Understand what drives people and recognise your options for dealing with them".
Dr Tony Alessandra believes adaptability is a combination of flexibility and versatility. Our willingness and ability to change. The rule consists of four behavioural preferences, and how you should "alter your behaviour in alignment with the person you are building a rapport with."
- Director- in control, fast paced, task orientated, impatient
- Socialiser- open and direct, enthusiastic, optimistic
- Thinker- problem solving, controlled environment, independent
- Relater- people orientated, listener, team player
By recognising which behaviour you are confronting and then adapting your persona to meet theirs - you are following The Platinum Rule.
Are we being true to ourselves? Is this unauthentic?
I feel I fall under 'Relater', having great interpersonal skills. Whilst communicating with my Accountant, perhaps being a 'Thinker' I communicate professionally yet stay true to my personality traits. I don't suddenly adapt to his traits of excelling in controlled environments and preferring to be independent, yet we communicate effectively and informatively.
By adapting our behaviour for approval and to improve a relationship, could this be detrimental in the long term? When can you relax and be yourself?
How far is too far?
I need to dissect this area a lot further as I feel that my thoughts are a bit muddled at the moment.. I'd love to know what you think about being Adaptable?
I want to explore: How different 'Ship Life' was to my life at home and how I responded to change had to adapt..
- new cultures
- new protocols to follow
- new responsibilities
- new living arrangements
After Reading a segment of 'The Creative Habit' I wanted to add this to the discussion:
"Dancers are totally governed by ritual. It begins with class at 10.00 am too noon everyday... they do this daily without fail, because all dancers working in class know that their efforts at strengthening the muscles will armour them against injury in rehearsal and performance." (Tharp, T. 2006)
When adapting to a new working environment (living onboard a ship) do we apply our rituals to add familiarity to the new normality. I thrive off exercising and warming up my body early in the morning, set for the day ahead. My mind is active, my body is energised and I am able to manifest my day clearly.
By bringing this ritual onto the ship (ensuring I set an alarm and prioritise exercise each morning) am I aiding the process of adapting to my new environment by applying a ritual I followed at home. Comfort and Familiarity. Despite the late nights for Shows and Rehearsals I honour my ritual as I know the benefits I get from training early in the day.
Does having a ritual of preparation ease the process of adapting to a new setting?
When adapting to a new work/life environment should we adapt our ritual to suite?
Ellie x
Kolb, D. (1984) Experimental Learning: Experience As The Source Of Learning and Development [book]
Tan, S. (2016) How Well Do You Handle Change? The Benefits of Being Adaptable [online] Available at: https://www.business.com/articles/how-well-do-you-handle-change-the-benefits-of-being-adaptable/ [Accessed on 27 Feb 2021]
Tharp, T. and Reiter, M. (2006) The Creative Habit Learn It and Use It For Life: A Practical Guide, 1st Simon & Schuster pbk. ed., New York: Simon & Schuster
Yukl,G. and Mahsud, R. (2010) Why Flexible and Adaptive Leadership Is Essential [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232567495_Why_flexible_and_adaptive_leadership_is_essential[Accessed on 27 Feb 2021]
Loved this blog as I feel like I can really relate to everything you're saying. I think it's incredible how as performers we can rely on our muscle memory and or reflection in action skills to completely improvise without anyone knowing. I believe it's a true skill that non performers would struggle with(Probably as they have different intelligence strengths.
ReplyDeleteAdapting to ship life is overwhelming at first. I found it very bizzare to have so many drills, not clean my own room, stand in a line for my dinner like primary school and be so active/have my working day so late at night. Adapting to fit a new culture can be scary as you so desperately want to please everyone and not put a foot wrong. I've learnt so much from doing this and gained skills for life. You could even do this for a learning area too?! x
Hi Niamh,
DeleteI remember my Dad always used to say after shows "How do you remember it all?" and really it is our muscle memory, its amazing!!
Everything you have pointed out regarding adapting to ship life I can COMPLETELY relate with. On top of essentially moving out of your house and moving into a cabin and your entire surroundings changing you then have to execute your job and perform to an audience of hundreds. Adapting to a new culture and adapting to a new professional company.
This is definitely an area I am exploring to be a potential learning area! I wanted to blog my initial thoughts and research and be inspired by discussion which you have done, so thank you!
Ellie x