The Power of Versatility

By Myfanwy Stanfield | Director of Community Engagement | Ascham School

Versatility – the ability to use a wide variety of skills to adapt to changing circumstances.

I recently read an article about versatility and that in this VUCA world, versatile leadership is becoming a much sought-after core competency. Afterall, the world isn’t going to become less volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, so how can we as Advancement professionals lean into our versatility?

Firstly – have you or your teams ever completed any personality tests or profiling? We need to understand our own behaviours first – what comes naturally to us and what doesn’t, before we can lean into our strengths and develop our weaknesses. Asking our colleagues, direct reports and/or manager for feedback regarding your behaviour and the impact it makes, may sound daunting – but it may be the most valuable process you ever undertake. Furthermore, understanding our teammates’ behaviours, strengths and weaknesses will engender even more generous collaboration and clever thinking … win-win!

Secondly – we can flex those versatility muscles by taking on new challenges or setting some stretch goals aimed at developing our weaknesses. As we know, growth comes when we operate way outside our comfort zones! The growth goes where the energy flows.

Finally – get comfortable with asking open ended questions rather than jumping straight to the solutions. I believe, as Advancement professionals we all share an achievement mindset – we don’t naturally sit in the uncertain and ambiguous. We are a vibrant and goal-oriented bunch – we move quickly, and we jump to solution thinking and laser focus. I challenge us all to take a minute, breathe and lean into the VUCA-ness of it all…you never know where it may lead.

Hot Tip!

Want to know more about how to the develop the skills to thrive in this VUCA world? Book your spot now for the NSW/ACT Chapter Summit, being held in May in Canberra. Don’t miss this opportunity, places are limited. Book now.

Myfanwy Stanfield | Director of Community Engagement | Ascham School