Best examples of adaptability performance review examples for 2024

Strong examples of adaptability performance review examples (ready to use)

Let’s start where most people get stuck: the actual wording. Below are realistic, work-ready phrases you can drop into reviews. They’re written in plain language, but still sound professional.

These first examples of adaptability performance review examples focus on positive, high-performing behavior.

Positive adaptability example of exceeding expectations

“Jasmine consistently adapts to shifting priorities and changing client needs. When our largest customer accelerated their launch timeline by four weeks, she reorganized her project plan, re-negotiated internal deadlines, and coordinated with two other teams to hit the new date. She remained calm under pressure, communicated changes clearly, and delivered on time without sacrificing quality. Her adaptability directly contributed to a 15% increase in Q2 revenue from that client.”

Why this works: It ties adaptability to a specific situation (compressed timeline), shows behaviors (reorganizing, communicating), and connects it to a measurable business result.

Example of adaptability in a remote / hybrid work environment

“Since our shift to a hybrid schedule, Diego has shown strong adaptability by learning new collaboration tools, adjusting his work hours to overlap with global teammates, and experimenting with different ways to keep his team engaged in virtual meetings. When our video platform changed mid-quarter, he quickly learned the new system, created a short how‑to guide for his colleagues, and reduced meeting disruptions.”

This is one of the best examples of adaptability performance review examples for modern work because it reflects what many teams have faced since 2020 and continue to refine in 2024–2025.

Example of adapting to new technology and AI tools

“When the company rolled out the new AI-powered analytics platform, Priya proactively attended optional training sessions and experimented with features beyond the basic use cases. She then shared tips with the team and created a simple dashboard that cut weekly reporting time by 30%. Her willingness to learn and adapt to new technology has improved both team productivity and data accuracy.”

This fits the 2024–2025 reality: rapid tech changes, especially around AI and automation. Research from organizations like the U.S. Department of Labor highlights ongoing upskilling as a key job expectation, and this example shows exactly what that can look like.

Example of adaptability under changing business conditions

“As market conditions shifted and leadership announced a hiring freeze, Marcus quickly adjusted his team’s plans. He re-prioritized projects based on impact, paused lower-value work, and reallocated tasks to avoid burnout. Despite limited resources, his team still completed 92% of their quarterly goals. Marcus’s adaptability helped the team stay focused and motivated during a period of uncertainty.”

This is a strong example of adaptability performance review examples that shows leadership-level flexibility.

Example of adaptability in cross-functional collaboration

“When asked to join the cross-functional product launch team, Alina adapted her communication style to work effectively with engineering, sales, and marketing stakeholders. She adjusted her usual detailed approach when working with executives, instead providing concise summaries and clear recommendations. Her ability to flex her style helped the group make faster decisions and stay aligned across departments.”

Here, adaptability isn’t about schedule or tools—it’s about behavior and communication, which is just as important.

Example of adaptability for an employee early in their career

“As a new hire, Jordan has adapted quickly to our systems, processes, and culture. When his first project scope changed mid-way, he adjusted his plan without frustration, asked thoughtful clarifying questions, and sought feedback on his revised approach. He views changes as learning opportunities rather than setbacks, which is promising for his long-term growth.”

You can use this type of phrasing for interns, entry-level employees, or anyone in their first year.

Balanced examples of adaptability performance review examples (meets expectations)

Not everyone is a superstar, and that’s okay. Many employees are doing fine with change but still have room to grow. These examples of adaptability performance review examples describe solid, “meets expectations” performance.

Example of steady, reliable adaptability

“Overall, Lena adapts well to routine changes in priorities and processes. She stays open-minded when new information emerges and is usually quick to adjust her plans. When the team’s reporting template changed, she adopted the new format without complaint and met all deadlines. Going forward, she could strengthen her impact by proactively suggesting improvements when changes are announced, rather than waiting for direction.”

This kind of language is respectful and honest. It acknowledges what’s working and gently points to the next level.

Example of adaptability with gentle coaching

“Ethan generally handles change with a positive attitude and is willing to learn new systems. During the CRM transition, he completed the required training and asked for help when needed. At times, he hesitates to make decisions when plans shift unexpectedly. With more practice and confidence, Ethan can improve his ability to act quickly in ambiguous situations.”

Here, you’re not labeling the person as “bad with change.” You’re naming a specific behavior (hesitation) and a clear growth area (acting in ambiguity).

Growth-focused examples of adaptability performance review examples (needs improvement)

Sometimes adaptability is a real sticking point. When that happens, the goal is to be honest and constructive. These examples include specific situations and clear expectations.

Example of limited adaptability with clear next steps

“This year, changes in priorities and processes have been challenging for Chris. When the project scope expanded in Q2, he expressed frustration and continued working from the original plan for several weeks, which led to rework and missed deadlines. To grow in this area, Chris needs to ask clarifying questions when changes are announced, confirm updated expectations in writing, and adjust his work plan within 24–48 hours of new direction.”

Notice how this doesn’t attack personality. It focuses on behavior and outlines what “better” looks like.

Example of resistance to change with coaching language

“Maya often prefers established routines and has expressed skepticism about new tools and processes. During the rollout of the new ticketing system, she delayed using it and continued to rely on email, which created confusion for the support team. Moving forward, Maya is expected to fully adopt new tools within the defined rollout period and bring concerns to her manager early so they can be addressed constructively.”

This example of adaptability performance review examples is direct but still leaves room for improvement and support.

How to write your own examples of adaptability performance review examples

If you want your review to sound real—not copy‑pasted—you can build your own phrases using a simple pattern. Think of it as a mini formula:

Situation → Behavior → Impact → Next step (optional)

Here’s how that plays out in plain language.

You start with the situation:

“When our team lost two members mid-project…”

Then describe the behavior:

“…you re-organized the task list, clarified priorities with stakeholders, and volunteered to take on extra testing work.”

Follow with the impact:

“As a result, we still launched on time and avoided penalty fees with the client.”

If needed, add a next step:

“Next year, I’d like to see you share your re-planning approach with the wider team so others can learn from it.”

You can mix and match this structure to create your own examples of adaptability performance review examples for different roles, from frontline staff to senior leaders.

Adaptability examples by role and level

To make this even more practical, here are role-specific variations you can adapt.

For individual contributors

“When your task list changed with little notice, you re-prioritized effectively and communicated updated timelines to stakeholders. You stayed calm and focused, which helped keep the project moving smoothly.”

“You consistently adjust to new workflows and tools. When we introduced the new time-tracking system, you learned it quickly and helped two teammates who were struggling with the transition.”

These are the kinds of best examples of adaptability performance review examples for non-manager roles because they focus on personal behavior and team contribution.

For managers and team leads

“You helped your team navigate frequent changes this year by communicating openly, adjusting goals when needed, and checking in on workload and stress levels. Your adaptability as a leader reduced turnover risk and kept engagement scores steady, even during reorganization.”

“When the department’s strategy shifted mid-year, you quickly re-aligned your team’s objectives and updated performance metrics. You explained the ‘why’ behind the change, which helped your team stay bought in.”

Leadership adaptability isn’t just about personal flexibility; it’s also about how well you help others adapt.

For project and product roles

“Throughout the product beta, you responded to user feedback by adjusting the roadmap, re-prioritizing features, and coordinating with engineering on realistic timelines. Your adaptability helped us release a more stable and user-friendly version by launch date.”

“When a key vendor backed out, you quickly evaluated alternatives, presented options to stakeholders, and adjusted the project plan with minimal impact to the schedule.”

These examples of adaptability performance review examples fit roles where change is practically built into the job.

For support, operations, and frontline roles

“You regularly adapt to fluctuating customer volume by adjusting your pace, supporting teammates during peak times, and maintaining service quality even when the queue is long.”

“When new safety procedures were introduced, you learned them quickly, asked thoughtful questions, and modeled the new behaviors for others on your shift.”

Adaptability here is about staying steady and responsive in a fast-changing, often unpredictable environment.

Trends in adaptability for 2024–2025 you can reference in reviews

If you want your reviews to feel current, it helps to connect adaptability to what’s happening in the world of work right now.

Recent years have brought:

• Ongoing hybrid and remote work experimentation
• Rapid AI and automation adoption
• Frequent organizational restructuring and shifting priorities

Organizations like the World Economic Forum and U.S. Department of Education highlight adaptability, flexibility, and continuous learning as top skills for the future of work. That means your performance reviews should reflect not just whether someone “handles change,” but how they learn, respond, and help others through it.

You can explicitly reference these trends in your comments, for example:

“In a year marked by rapid AI adoption and shifting business priorities, your adaptability has been a key strength. You embraced new tools, adjusted your workflows, and supported colleagues who were less comfortable with change.”

Or, when growth is needed:

“As our industry continues to evolve quickly, adaptability is becoming more important each year. To meet future expectations, you’ll need to respond more quickly to new information, experiment with updated processes, and stay open to learning new tools.”

These kinds of phrases connect individual performance to the larger context of work in 2024–2025.

FAQ: Adaptability performance review examples

Q: What are some good examples of adaptability performance review examples for a self-evaluation?
You might write something like: “This year I adapted to three major process changes by updating my workflows, asking for feedback on my approach, and sharing what I learned with my team. When our priorities shifted in Q3, I re-organized my task list, communicated new timelines to stakeholders, and still met my key deadlines.” The key is to describe specific situations, what you did, and how it helped.

Q: Can you give an example of adaptability feedback that doesn’t sound negative but still pushes for growth?
Try something like: “You generally handle routine changes well and stay open to new ideas. To take the next step, I’d like to see you respond more quickly when plans change suddenly by asking clarifying questions and proposing adjusted timelines within a day or two.” This keeps the tone respectful while still being clear.

Q: How detailed should examples of adaptability be in a review?
Aim for one to three sentences per example, with at least a brief description of the situation, the behavior, and the result. You don’t need a long story, but you do need enough detail that the person can recognize the situation and understand what to repeat or change.

Q: Are there differences in adaptability expectations for leaders versus individual contributors?
Yes. Individual contributors are expected to adjust their own work, learn new tools, and stay open-minded. Leaders are expected to do all of that and help others adapt—by communicating clearly, setting realistic expectations, and modeling a calm, solution-focused response to change.

If you keep coming back to the simple pattern—situation, behavior, impact—you’ll find it much easier to write your own real examples of adaptability performance review examples. Start with one or two of the phrases above, tweak them to match your reality, and you’ll quickly build a library of feedback that actually helps people grow.