Thimon de Jong works at the intersection of behavioural science, trends and the future of work, helping organisations understand how people think, adapt and respond to change.

He recently delivered a session as part of our Change Catalyst leadership development programme, working with leaders on how to navigate uncertainty and build organisations that are ready for what comes next.

One point stood out. Change is no longer an event, it is the environment leaders are operating in every day.

Many organisations still approach change as something temporary, something to manage and move through, but the reality is different. The pace of change has increased, expectations have shifted and leaders are required to make decisions with less certainty than ever before.

Adaptability is a leadership capability

Leaders can no longer rely on fixed plans or predictable environments. Adaptability is not just a mindset, it is a capability that needs to be developed and strengthened across leadership teams.

This means being able to respond to new information quickly, make decisions with incomplete data and adjust direction without losing momentum.

Without that adaptability, organisations slow down, become reactive and struggle to keep pace with change.

Understanding behaviour drives better decisions

One of the most important aspects of leading through change is understanding how people respond to it. Change creates uncertainty, and uncertainty affects how people think, feel and act.

Leaders who understand this are better equipped to communicate clearly, reduce resistance and create environments where people can adapt more effectively.

This is where behavioural insight becomes a commercial advantage, helping organisations move faster and with greater alignment.

Why this matters for leadership today

Leaders are no longer operating in stable environments. Change, disruption and uncertainty are now the norm, and organisations that fail to adapt quickly fall behind.

You need leaders who can navigate that, who understand people, who can make decisions under pressure and who can lead teams through constant change.

That is exactly what we focus on through Change Catalyst, a leadership development programme designed to strengthen leadership capability in complex, fast-changing environments.