Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.
Stephen Hawking, one of the last century's greatest minds, was fond of adaptation. While Hawking was a celebrated atheist, his views on adapting to change were universal.
Getting back to our roots, adaptability is a critical skill for effective servant leadership. Adaptability is also a key, critical precept of Christianity.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2, NKJV)
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:22-24, NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17, NKJV)
These passages are about transformation, but transformation is essentially adaptation - adaptation driven by Godly change.
But imagine, if you will, if we refuse to adapt...refuse to be transformed. What happens if we refuse to listen to the wisdom of the Bible and keep our old ways, our old conduct? What if we are happy to be conformed to the world?
We die.
The same happens in business, Servant Leader. Although an atheist, Hawking's great mind was able to comprehend and simply state that intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. That makes the opposite true - that foolishness (or ignorance) is the lack of ability to adapt to change.
Mark Schellinger of Forbes Magazine says that, "In business, you're either growing or you're dying." Paul tells the Ephesians that refusal to transform leads to corruption and death. And Hawking's quote intones that the lack of ability to adapt to change is caused by foolishness or ignorance.
So, don't be foolish in business, Servant Leader. Be adaptable. Be intelligent. That way your business can be transformed by the renewing of your relationships, your solutions, your processes, and your people. Don't grow corrupt by hanging on to what "got you here"; rather, be intelligent and adapt to "get you there."
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, Servant Leader.
