How Adaptability, Growth, and Global Exposure Shape the Future of Work
By Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo
The bridge was beautiful. Strong. Unshaken by a hurricane.
But then the river moved — and the bridge lost its relevance.
That’s the story of the Choluteca Bridge in Honduras.
(Link to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choluteca_Bridge)
It’s also a metaphor for many of us — brilliant, hardworking, well-trained…
but dangerously disconnected from where the world is going.
That’s how I opened my session at the Study in Germany Workshop (link to https://www.instagram.com/comestudyinternational/p/DLKJh_Ssid8/) in Accra, titled:
“Not What. Who.”
Because in 2035, the real question won’t be:
What job will I do?
It will be:
Who must I become to matter — no matter what comes?
We explored one core truth:
The key to staying relevant is growth.
And to grow, you must master the one skill that unlocks every other:
Adaptability.
Why Adaptability Matters
Adaptability is the ultimate survival skill.
In a world where the rules, tools, and terrains are constantly shifting, those who adapt — thrive.
To truly grow and stay relevant in unfamiliar environments, you must learn to A.D.A.P.T.:
A – Ask boldly
Curiosity is your compass. Don’t wait for answers to be handed to you — seek them. Speak up. Silence opens no doors.
D – Dive into newness
Growth lives on the edge of what’s familiar. The earlier you get comfortable being uncomfortable, the faster you evolve.
A – Absorb difference
Every environment is a teacher. Observe, listen, and adapt to new cultures, systems, and ways of thinking. Different isn’t wrong — it’s just unfamiliar. Take what works. Leave what doesn’t.
P – Practice daily
Adaptability isn’t a theory — it’s a discipline. Show up. Learn. Do it. Repeat it. Growth compounds. Mastery lives in repetition.
T – Take feedback well
Feedback isn’t an attack — it’s a gift. Correction isn’t rejection — it’s direction. Don’t get defensive. Get better.
Lessons from Lived Experience
I also shared reflections from my own journey — the pivots, the relocations, and the things I wish I had done much earlier.
And I said to the room what I’ll say here again:
Do it now. Don’t put it off.
The earlier you start, the better prepared you’ll be.
We also talked about the practical realities of relocating:
- Your support system matters — churches, mentors, family, and safe communities carry you.
- The quality of your information shapes your experience — what you don’t know can hurt you.
- Follow the rules — many lose their visas for working beyond allowed hours.
- Be clear on your purpose — studying abroad is not a shortcut. It’s a reset.
And one of the most underrated benefits of international education?
Global exposure — the chance to access industries, networks, and systems that may have been out of reach back home.
Is There a Real Benefit to Africa When People Relocate?
Absolutely — yes.
Many who leave return with critical skills, global insights, invaluable networks, and a renewed sense of possibility —
all now being used to build businesses, lead institutions, and transform entire ecosystems across the continent.
And let’s talk numbers:
Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa hit $54 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank.
That money funds education, pays rent, builds homes, and sustains entire families — sometimes even national economies.
Now compare that with the labour market reality:
📉 Only 3 million formal jobs are created each year in Africa.
📈 Yet 10–12 million young people enter the workforce annually.
👥 Two-thirds of non-student youth are unemployed, discouraged, or vulnerably employed, per the AfDB.
So yes — leaving can be a lifeline.
Not just for the one who leaves, but for the many who stay.
When the Drumbeat Changes…
As one African proverb reminds us:
“When the rhythm of the drum changes, the dance must also change.”
Adaptability isn’t optional.
It’s essential.
This is why I’m back.
Why my colleagues at Nova Business School Africa are back.
To help rebuild families, organisations, communities, and countries.Because this has got to change.
And we’re not waiting for permission.
