12/22/25
STORY
My manager looked frozen.
We had just finished a meeting with the VP of Inside Sales. We’d built a solid strategy to train Tesla store employees to transfer prospects to inside sales.
Then I noticed something was off.
“Chris, are you okay?” I asked.
He exhaled, grabbed the HDMI cable, and said,
“I need to show you something.”
On the screen was a blog post from Tesla’s website:
“Tesla is closing all retail stores and moving sales online.”
That’s how we found out.
I was leading national training programs, sitting next to the head of global Tesla training…
And our work had just been upended.
We were frustrated.
We were concerned.
And we acknowledged that.
But we also knew what mattered next: how we responded.
We had to adapt.
We had to stay flexible.
And we couldn’t let emotion drive our decisions.
That moment tested every lesson I’d ever heard about responding to change with clarity.
It wasn’t easy, but it shaped how I lead today.
In today’s world, adaptability isn’t optional.
It’s the most important leadership skill there is.
As we head into 2026, prioritize adaptability.
Detach from outcomes.
Stay flexible in pursuit of shared goals.
That’s how leaders endure and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
OBSERVATION
Research from the University of Illinois shows that adaptability is a core driver of employee performance and organizational success in rapidly changing environments. Employees and teams who can adjust to shifting priorities, technologies, and expectations are measurably more effective at meeting evolving business goals.
(University of Illinois / Gies College of Business, New research finds adaptability key to employee performance, May 2023)
STRATEGY
As you’re planning for 2026…
Remind yourself that the future is unpredictable.
Therefore, detach from any specific outcome.
Tell yourself…
“Whatever happens is supposed to happen.”
Free yourself from the burden of attempting to control that which is outside of your control.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to be adaptable)
Global keynote speaker
Host of the “Unstuck” podcast
A recovering people-pleaser