The Most Important Personality Trait You Need to Build

Pay attention! Okay, because this fact will blow your mind. Did you know that 99.9% of all the species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct? So, how about the 0.01% that survived? Well, a key factor that determined their survival was their ability to adapt. And the same goes for us today; it's just a different game, but the rules have not changed much. Keep watching to learn how to stand out from the crowd and stay ahead of the curve.

Welcome to Alux. So how do we define adaptability? Well, in a nutshell, it's the capacity to effectively respond to changes and uncertainties, both expected and unexpected. It's the most essential personality trait because it enables us to navigate life's challenges and opportunities with ease and resilience. Our ability to adapt directly affects how we cope with stress, solve problems, make decisions, and interact with others.

Now you might be wondering why adaptability is so important in today's day and age. Well, here's the thing: we live in an era of rapid technological advancements, globalization, and social transformation. These factors have created an environment of constant change, where new opportunities and challenges arise daily. So, to thrive in such a world, we must be able to adjust our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors quickly and effectively.

In his book "The Social Leap," evolutionary psychologist William Von Hippel provides a comprehensive explanation of why adaptability is so crucial to our survival and success. According to Von Hippel, our ancestors faced numerous challenges, such as rapidly changing environments, scarce resources, and a need to cooperate in larger groups. These factors necessitated the development of strong adaptive skills. Von Hippel's theory emphasizes the importance of two main areas of adaptability: cognitive flexibility and social adaptability.

So, let's dissect them as simply as possible. First up, cognitive flexibility is the ability to think creatively, solve problems, and adjust our mental strategies when faced with new information or situations. Our ancestors had to adapt to fluctuating food supplies, predator threats, and environmental changes. By developing cognitive flexibility, they were able to devise innovative solutions to these challenges and ensure their survival. Today, cognitive flexibility is just as essential, as it enables us to deal with the complexities of modern life, such as adapting to new technologies, learning new skills, and navigating novel challenges. It's just a different context.

So to improve your cognitive flexibility, based on Von Hippel's theory, you can try the following: engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, learning a new language, or taking up a musical instrument. Practice creative thinking exercises like brainstorming or mind mapping to help generate new ideas and solutions. And encourage yourself to approach problems from multiple perspectives, fostering the habit of viewing situations from various angles.

Now, social adaptability, on the other hand, refers to our ability to adjust our behavior, communication, and interaction styles to fit various social contexts and connect with diverse groups of people. Von Hippel's theory highlights the importance of social adaptability in our ancestors' lives, as they had to cooperate and form alliances to survive and reproduce. This skill is just as critical today as we navigate complex social landscapes in our personal and professional lives.

So to enhance your social adaptability, you can practice the following: observe and learn from socially skilled individuals to understand how they adapt their communication and behavior in different social settings. Actively engage in diverse social situations, exposing yourself to various cultural contexts, age groups, and social circles. And develop empathy and active listening skills to better understand and respond to the needs and perspectives of others.

In January 2018, Von Hippel gave a talk at the Fred Rodwald School of Psychology winter conference in Park City, Utah, where he presented his model of behavioral flexibility. So, according to Von Hippel, behavioral flexibility relies on five distinct yet intertwined elements. And just as a fun fact, those elements—according to his research—play a huge part in becoming a more charismatic and successful person. We actually made a video on this subject, which we encourage you to check out because, hey, everyone needs more charisma in their lives.

But back to the subject. These five elements are: 1. Attunement to social contingencies, 2. Impulse control, 3. The ability to generate alternative responses, 4. Choosing the right option among alternatives, and 5. Speed in delivering the chosen response. Von Hippel's research suggests that being quick-witted and capable of responding rapidly to changing social situations is a better predictor of charisma and competence than having a great personality or high intelligence.

In one study, participants who demonstrated mental speed were perceived as more charismatic by their friends compared to those who scored highly on personality and IQ measures. Now, we mentioned charisma because it's a huge indicator of success. To improve your adaptability, based on Von Hippel's theory, focus on developing the following skills: adapt to subtle changes in situations—train your mind to identify and adjust to the dynamic nature of social situations.

Back in 2014, Von Hippel and a fellow researcher published a paper in Social Psychological and Personality Science, emphasizing the significance of mastering the art of reacting to ever-changing social scenarios. In the context of a business negotiation, for example, it is crucial to seize the moment and deliver the appropriate response. The researchers employed a method called reverse learning tasks.

In this approach, participants are taught a specific task, only to have the rules abruptly altered. The subject's performance is then assessed based on the speed at which they adapt to the new guidelines. This serves as a measure of an individual's ability to adjust to situational changes. Interestingly enough, individuals who excelled in a reverse learning computer task demonstrated a greater ability to resolve disputes with their romantic partners, leading to higher satisfaction in their relationships.

In a separate group of participants composed of MBA students, the performance in reverse learning tasks was found to be indicative of their negotiation skills. Those who performed well in the computer task were generally more content with the results of a mock negotiation conducted with their peers. So the researchers concluded that the ability to adapt one's behavior in the face of constantly changing social environments enhances interpersonal competence.

This adaptability makes individuals more adept at managing conflict and negotiating to achieve their desired outcomes. Keep your cool amid distractions; learn to stay composed and maintain control over your impulses even when facing distractions or unexpected challenges. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or practicing self-discipline in various areas of your life can help you to develop this skill.

Be quick-witted. In a 2015 study published in Psychological Science, Von Hippel reported that, contrary to his expectation, being quick-witted was a better predictor of competence than having a great personality or being smart. In an experiment, participants who exhibited rapid cognitive processing were more likely to be perceived as competent by their friends compared to those who scored high on reliable assessments like personality or IQ.

Von Hippel clarified in a press release that identifying the correct response to a challenging question seems to be less crucial than the ability to contemplate a wide range of social reactions within a limited time frame. Now, that does not mean you should speak before you think. We know some of you might get this wrong. What this means is that the more adaptable you become, the easier you'll be able to generate better and faster responses.

So, to enhance your mental speed and ability to think on your feet, try engaging in activities that challenge your cognitive agility. So maybe try practicing improvisational exercises, participating in debate clubs, or playing fast-paced strategy games. Generate alternative responses. You need to cultivate the habit of considering multiple options and perspectives when faced with a decision or problem.

You can practice this skill by brainstorming ideas or engaging in activities that require you to think creatively and generate multiple solutions. Choose the right option and deliver it promptly. Develop the ability to evaluate the various alternatives you've generated and select the most appropriate response quickly. To hone this skill, you can engage in decision-making exercises, practice public speaking, or participate in mock negotiations.

By focusing on these five elements of behavioral flexibility, you can apply Von Hippel's insights into your own life and enhance your adaptability. All of this will not only make you more charismatic and competent, but also better equipped to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world. Remember, Alux, adaptability is the key to thriving in our dynamic social landscape. It enables us to block out unwanted impulses, understand how situations change in real time, and respond quickly and effectively.

And as Von Hippel says, to be socially successful, people must tailor their responses to the specific people, contexts, and history involved in their interactions. By definition, these demands require the ability to behave flexibly.

To sum everything up, here's what you need to take away from this video: there is enough evidence to support the claim that adaptability is the most important trait you need to build. We all have it intrinsically, but it can and should be improved daily, especially if you're a high achiever. If you think about it, every problem you might encounter and your capacity to solve it all boils down to your ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

And that's all for today, Alux. We hope you enjoyed watching this video just as much as we enjoyed making it. And for those of you who are still here, we want to ask you the following: what is, in your opinion, the most important personality trait that people should cultivate daily? We're always so curious to hear what you have to say, and we're always looking to be challenged on our ideas. If this video made you smarter, make sure to return the favor by tipping us with a like and a share. As always, thanks for watching, Alux! If you'd like to learn some more, hey, check out this video next.