The Art of Adaptability – The Social Worker’s Superpower

by Karen M. Carlucci, LCSW, CPC

     Social workers are expected to do a lot. We expect a lot from ourselves. With endless applications of the social work skill set, the field attracts many. As an advisor working with social work graduate students at Columbia University, I pleasantly observe the eager enthusiasm of those embarking on a chosen career of purpose. Yet, not all social workers stick it out for the long haul. It can be a draining occupation, often not rewarded financially. Social workers at times become too familiar with the concepts of vicarious trauma and burnout. Serving a purpose overrides serving ourselves.

     On both the macro and micro levels, social workers aim to empower individuals, families, communities, and organizations to sustain and thrive. We creatively find ways to increase access to resources for our clients while teaching them how to navigate complicated systems and maneuver their way through the bumpy trajectory of life. But life can be bumpy for all of us, and empowering ourselves is the only way we can make a real difference for others.

What’s the secret to surviving in social work?

     What’s the secret to not only surviving but succeeding in this rich yet demanding field? How do social workers move things forward? We adapt. We reinvent ourselves as necessary. We recreate the situation in a way that better serves us, so we can better serve others. I consider this ability to be a social worker superpower. When we bump into a roadblock, we can see the alternate pathways waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s at a current job or an entirely different career direction, social workers have the advantage of plugging their dynamic skill sets into new outlets for a professional recharge.

     As I look back on the 20-plus years I’ve been a social worker, I marvel at the twists and turns I’ve taken, some chosen, some dealt. Maintaining an open mind to new opportunities that were not an obvious fit has kept things fresh for me. Variety has bred versatility. In a field where we often juggle the curveballs, flexing our adaptability muscles can make all the difference in sustainability.

What does adaptability mean in social work?

     Adaptability is about survival. According to Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” Adaptability involves cognitive, emotional, and physical adjustment. It may be considered one of the most basic instincts we have, yet we often find ourselves stuck in professional patterns that work against us. Our environment and our situations send us signals constantly. If we pay attention, we can respond in a way that welcomes change rather than resists it. Understanding this for ourselves as social workers and for our clients is what gives us an edge in staying in the game.

What does adaptability look like in social work?

• Resilience – To adapt means to bounce back and then forward. It’s like a rubber ball that keeps finding its momentum to launch itself into a new space. A graduate school professor offered me this advice while I was struggling to find my first full-time social work job – “Take a job that you can imagine staying in at least one year. It will give you enough momentum to move on to an even better thing.” Each of our experiences make us more ready for whatever may be next.
• Stamina – The field of social work is rewarding, fulfilling, and challenging, but at times may steal our bounce. It’s up to us to be proactive in finding the resources that can bring us back to life when needed. During one of my early jobs, one of the directors observed that the workload was draining the staff. She reminded us that we can’t be social workers who are hungry and tired. Schedules were reworked to ensure staff got the fuel they needed each day.
• Self-direction – As social workers, we intentionally and creatively steer our way out of a maze that has grown around us. We always see a way out, because we don’t believe in dead ends. When I started to feel burnt out from overseeing a program that had gone through a whirlwind of change, I explored other opportunities within the organization. I steered myself in that direction by advocating for myself and outlining a transition plan.
• Flexibility – We often ask clients to be flexible in their thinking to expand how they may approach situations. Thinking outside the box yields additional possibilities and helps us break repetitive behavioral cycles. It may feel uncomfortable, but loosening our grip on rigid assumptions about what we can or should do can make all the difference in our personal and professional satisfaction.
• Self-confidence – Suddenly shifting gears can be scary. If we don’t believe that we can land on our feet no matter what happens, who will? This sense of empowerment is a powerful example for our clients.

How can you exercise adaptability in your social work career?

• Embrace and view change as a fresh opportunity to grow. As clinical social workers, we know the impact of the cognitive lens we look through. When possible, choose to see the change as new territory to explore, rather than a dead end.
• Allow for ambiguity to exist, not only tolerating the mixed bag of circumstances, but also welcoming all it can offer. In my experience, one of our main functions as social workers is to help our clients accept and manage ambiguous circumstances and feelings. When we can do this, we can find a way to keep moving rather than staying stuck in the mud waiting for crystal clear perfection.
• Invite new and unexpected possibilities by saying "yes" to things outside your comfort zone. When we say “yes,” we are opening a door rather than remaining within the four walls we know so well. We always have the option to say “no.” However, it is the “yes” that often leads us to expand what we are capable of.
• Know your triggers and self-manage your reactions. As we progress and mature in our careers, we become more self-aware of what we react to and how. Learning how to manage these reactions within the workplace with both colleagues and clients is a form of emotional intelligence that is very valuable.
• Prepare Plan B and C. We know too well that our Plan A won’t always pan out. So go ahead and be proactive in having a Plan B and C, and you will feel ready for anything.
• Expand your knowledge and learn additional skills. Licensed social workers are required to maintain their continuing education hours, but that shouldn’t be the only driver for us to seek out new professional education opportunities. The more tools in our toolbox, the more adept we can be in serving others while also supporting ourselves.

     Adaptability is a muscle that requires exercise like any other muscle we want to flex. In the field of social work, the art of adaptability is what can set us apart from the pack, allowing us to become leaders who set an example. If we want to foster sustainability in families, communities, and organizations, we need to have a system of sustainability for ourselves. If we wish to empower our colleagues and teams in meeting the demands of their work while remaining fulfilled, then we need to keep our sense of fulfillment alive. If our aim is to strengthen the resilience and resourcefulness of our clients to live healthier and more satisfying lives, then we need to fuel our own power so we can lift them up and teach them to fly.

Karen Carlucci, LCSW, CPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and Certified Professional Coach with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health and behavioral health fields. Karen’s span of experience includes training and workshop facilitation, infusing her passion for supporting people in achieving work-life wellness. In addition to a BA in human resources and an MSW from New York University’s School of Social Work, Karen possesses certificates in training and organizational development and adult psychoanalytic psychotherapy. She maintains a private practice in New York City and is an academic field advisor at Columbia University School of Social Work.