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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Adaptability summary
Max McKeown
The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty
21 mins
Brief summary
Adaptability by Max McKeown is a practical guide that explains why adaptability is important and how to develop it. It provides practical strategies and tools to help individuals and organizations thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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Adaptability
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Life is unpredictable even for the successful, which is why adaptability is so important.
In 2009, American golf star Tiger Woods’s position in the sport’s global rankings took a nosedive. By 2011 he’d slipped from number one to 58th place. It was an odd sight, especially as Woods had been known for his incredible consistency since bursting onto the scene in 1996. So what went wrong?
Well, it was a sign of the golfing god’s mortality. Life is unpredictable, and even the most successful people can’t always dodge the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. It turned out that Woods’s on-field performance problems had roots in his personal life.
In 2009, the media ran a story about him crashing his car outside his house. Neighbors told reporters they’d seen his wife chasing after him with a golf club in her hands. Rumors of substance abuse and infidelity began circulating and major sponsors including Gatorade and Gillette dropped their formerly prized sponsee.
Woods didn’t let any of that get to him, however. In fact, he demonstrated just how important adaptability is when you’re faced with setbacks. He continued working hard, even as his stats slipped, and learned how to deal with the media pressure he was under. His perseverance paid off. By March 2013, he was back at the top of world golf rankings.
That makes Woods a poster boy for what the author calls, “High adaptability, high achievement people,” or HAHAs for short. That’s a pretty fitting acronym: HAHAs are people who can laugh in the face of adversity and, over time, claw their way back to the top.
What sets them apart is their ability to focus on solutions rather than problems. They look on the bright side of life even as things seem to be falling apart around them, and they remain determined to achieve their goals. They’re also typically unafraid to ask for help and reach out to people who can support them in their struggle to reassert themselves.
But these blinks aren’t just about golf. Now that we’ve seen what adaptability looks like in practice, let’s take a look at how it works in the business context.
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What is Adaptability about?
Adaptability (2012) examines a skill that’s becoming ever more important in today’s fast-paced and highly fickle business environment: the ability to adapt. It’s what makes the difference between successful innovators who go on to thrive and stick-in-the-muds who struggle to survive – or simply go under. Packed with illuminating portraits of both, these blinks analyze adaptability in action everywhere from the golf course to the battlefield and the boardroom.
Adaptability Review
Adaptability by Max McKeown (2020) is a thought-provoking book about how to thrive and succeed in an ever-changing world. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers concrete strategies to help individuals and organizations navigate uncertainty and embrace change, providing practical tools for adaptability.
- Backed by research and real-world examples, the book effectively demonstrates the importance of adaptability in personal and professional growth.
- With its engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, the book keeps readers hooked, ensuring that the topic of adaptability remains anything but boring.
Best quote from Adaptability
People severely damaged by strokes...could now be rehabilitated by accessing the brains inbuilt adaptability.
—Max McKeown
Who should read Adaptability?
- Entrepreneurs and self-starters
- Managers and strategists
- Marketplace Machiavellis
Categories with Adaptability
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Adaptability FAQs
What is the main message of Adaptability?
The main message of Adaptability is the importance of being able to adjust to change and thrive in an unpredictable world.
How long does it take to read Adaptability?
The reading time for Adaptability varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Adaptability a good book? Is it worth reading?
Adaptability is a valuable read for anyone looking to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world. It offers practical insights and strategies for embracing change and thriving in uncertain times.
Who is the author of Adaptability?
The author of Adaptability is Max McKeown.
What to read after Adaptability?
If you're wondering what to read next after Adaptability, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Principles by Ray Dalio
- Economical Writing by Deirdre Nansen McCloskey
- Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields
- Boost! by Michael Bar-Eli
- Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio
- Life After Google by George Gilder
- Flip-Flops and Microwaved Fish by Peter Yawitz
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
- Making Sense of Chaos by J Doyne Farmer
- Words on the Move by John McWhorter