Exapt Exaptation Exaptive. We are exaptive.

@ingridlotze & @gavinmoffat love learning new words and this one is especially delightful:- ex·ap·ta·tion (ĕg′zăp-tā′shən) Exaptation is about taking something that was originally meant for one purpose and using it for something entirely different. Think of it as repurposing. Why is this relevant for 7 tshirts each? Imagine being a digital nomad, where change is the only constant. There is a need for you to become a master of exaptation, always adapting to new situations. This word and related behavior can also be applied to leadership and resilience. Leaders, need to be flexible as circumstances change. If, for example, you're used to motivating teams face-to-face in an office, you might need to adapt those skills to inspire remote teams. Resilience is all about bouncing back from setbacks and staying effective in tough times. Exaptation plays a role here too. You repurpose strengths to tackle unexpected challenges. As an example, being strategic communicators we’ve worked with company crises over the years where managers have chosen to adapt their communication and leadership style to reassure all stakeholders, make tough decisions, and navigate the challenges effectively, thereby showcasing resilience and exaptation. Exaptation also applies to technologies and products finding new purposes:-

• Smartphones, initially intended for communication, are now used for countless applications.

• 3D printers, once for prototyping, now revolutionise healthcare and aerospace.

• Viagra, originally developed as a medication for treating heart-related conditions, was exapted into a treatment for erectile dysfunction
  

Practicing resilience while living as a nomad, looking beyond the intended use of things, and finding alternative applications lead to ways of solving challenges.

Some examples of exaptation that we used whilst traveling include:-

• Using light fittings and curtain rails to string up a washing line

• Using a spoon hooked under a pile of plates as a place to hang washed dripping clothing

• Using an upsidedown cup as a basin plug

Exaptation is about seizing unforeseen opportunities. It's a word that perfectly captures how the business world can thrive by embracing unexpected adaptations. In our world, it's defined as "the art and science of finding unforeseen opportunities."

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