12 Skills Fundraisers Need for What Comes Next: #11 Adaptablity

"Blessed are the flexible for the won't get bent out of shape." r

I had a colleague who used to say this to me with some level of frequency; I thought it was wonderful. Until I realized she usually said it when I handed more work her way . . .

We do tend to talk about Adaptability as a character trait, though, don't we? You either have it or you don't, and if you don't it's a persona flaw.

"You need to be more adaptable."

"Be comfortable with change."

"PIVOT!

Adaptability isn’t about liking change. It’s not about speed. And it’s definitely not about chasing every new idea that crosses your feed.

Adaptability is the ability to adjust without panicking, without abandoning your values, and without losing your footing when conditions change.

Which, in fundraising, they always do.

Donors change. Systems change. Leadership changes. What worked last year quietly stops working this year. Sometimes the ground shifts without asking your permission.

Adaptability is the skill that lets you keep moving anyway — thoughtfully, ethically, and with intention.

And here’s the thing that often gets missed: adaptability isn’t a solo skill.

It’s the practice of integration.

You can’t adapt if you don’t know where to pivot — which is where curiosity, research, and experience come in. You have to be paying attention before you can adjust intelligently.

You can’t adapt if every misstep feels catastrophic — which is why grounded confidence matters. Adaptability requires the ability to try something, learn quickly, and move on without turning every failure into a referendum on your competence.

You can’t adapt well without discernment, because not every signal deserves a response. Some things are noise. Some things are trends. Some things are simply uncomfortable but still right.

In other words, many of the key skills for fundraisers in the new year are going to inform how adaptable you can be in your work. Whether its adjusting data and technology, investing in storytelling, or focuing on your systems, the one for-sure, absolute prediction we can make for the new year - change is inevitable.

Panic is not adaptive. Presence is.

Adaptable fundraisers don’t cling rigidly to what used to work. They also don’t chase novelty for its own sake.

They notice. They assess. They adjust deliberately.

They know what’s flexible — tactics, timing, tools — and what isn’t — purpose, integrity, relationships.

Adaptability doesn’t mean you always get it right.

It means when something isn’t working, you don’t freeze, flail, or fold. You learn. You recalibrate. You keep moving with your values intact.

At this point in the series, that’s the muscle we’re strengthening.

Because the goal was never to predict the future.

It was to remain capable, no matter what tomorrow brings.