Here’s the definition for “maladaptive: not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation.”
Our “situation” is that everything is changing constantly. Here’s a short list:
- Technology
- FEMA programs and processes
- Climate change, which is changing our hazards profile
- People who we need to interact with
- Organizations that we need to coordinate with
- The geopolitical situation that we operate in
- National and international relationships
- What your priorities are
- The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been one big change
If you are maladaptive and don’t want or are not comfortable with a constantly changing work environment, then emergency management is not for you. There is an old phrase: “Be the change you want to see happen!”
What is true today might not be true tomorrow. Get over it and get on with it. Semper Gumby!