IQ and EQ are no longer enough — Five steps to develop your Adaptability Quotient (AQ)
Expand your impact and create life-changing opportunities by developing your ability to champion and adapt to change
Much has been written about IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) and their impact on our lives and careers. In the case of EQ, in particular, we are constantly reminded of how emotional intelligence is the key skill of the future.
While I do agree with the fact that EQ is essential, especially in management and leadership roles, it does not paint the whole picture. There is something else.
The more I examine the careers of successful people and self-reflect on my own, the clearer I see that there is another core underpinning theme: adaptability.
So what’s AQ and why should I care?
Here is a simple definition of AQ:
Adaptability Quotient (AQ) is a metric used to measure our ability to adapt and thrive in our ever-changing working environment.
One of the frameworks I use when making important decisions in my life is this famous quote by Jeff Bezos:
“Focus on the things that don’t change”
This statement, I have found, tends to be followed by the people who achieve lasting success from the ones who don’t.
The takeaway in the context of AQ, you ask? It’s the fact that what does not change is the presence of change itself. Hence, we can turn what people tend to fear (i.e. change) into a key strategic differentiator for ourselves.
Benefits of developing your AQ
- Professional
“A demonstrable ability to navigate changing environments, incorporate new requirements, and pivot according to the needs of the business”.
Looks familiar? I am sure it does. Hiring managers and recruiters actively look for examples of how you have adapted to and/or led change in the past.
A high AQ is beneficial across all sorts of roles and, in some cases, a hard requirement to even be considered.
- Financial
A higher AQ is directly correlated with better opportunities that translate into better financial outcomes. But this goes beyond the typical 9–5 jobs.
By developing our AQ, we’ll indirectly develop confidence in our abilities and knowledge. This increase in confidence will likely push you to push your professional horizons by stepping into, for example, side hustles or new business ventures that can generate compounding returns (monetary and skills-based).
- Relationships and personal fulfillment
Personally, AQ has opened new enriching relationships that have pushed to keep growing and made me better. In the past, I would have simply not taken the step to reach out of fear or shyness.
There is a sense of freedom in knowing that you own change, in knowing that there is no such thing as failure or rejection. Just new paths ahead of you which, in the end, will get you to the one that makes you happy.
When it’s all said and done, we will regret more the things that we did not do than the things that we did do. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines. Embrace change, reach out to new people, explore new cultures, develop new interests.
Five steps to improving your AQ
So what can you actually do to improve our AQ?
Here are five ways I have personally used to become more adaptable and lead change rather than react to it.
1. Develop your curiosity
Become a learning machine: Learn how to learn on your own.
Don’t be afraid of stepping out of your lane. Seek opportunities to pick up new skills. Proactively meet new people. Explore new fields. Read new books and publications.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What are tangential areas of your current role about which you can be learning more?
- What are the trends shaping your industry or function over the next 5 years?
- Can you pick up any side projects that can complement your skills?
2. Get comfortable in the ambiguity — But most importantly: Take the initiative and go for it
We all have something we have always wanted to do. Something we wanted to change. If only we had the opportunity…
Guess what? You do have it.
Think about it this way: What’s the worst that can happen?
Questions to ask yourself:
- What are projects or areas that you always wish you could take on?
- What is the smallest step you can take today to get started? Is it scheduling a meeting? Doing some quick analysis to size the opportunity? Just informally talking to a few stakeholders?
3. Work on your storytelling and communication
Change, by definition, involves creating something new. Going from zero to one.
However, most people do not like change. Let’s face it: change can be scary.
To champion change, we need to create narratives and communicate them clearly to the right stakeholders. The key is to bring people along with you on the journey from the beginning.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How do I usually bring people onboard with my ideas?
- What are the main objections I keep hearing when it comes to implementing something new?
- Who are the main stakeholders and what are their fears, needs and motivations?
4. Track your AQ over time
I am a big proponent of applying Eric Ries’ lean feedback loops to self-development. In my opinion, the key with any self-improvement effort is consistency.
Therefore, I suggest you establish a weekly tracking system so you can easily record any actions you have taken towards improving your AQ.
Don’t forget to record the results (good or bad) and schedule monthly review sessions so you can course correct as you go!
5. Expose yourself to breakout opportunities
Careers are not linear. Long gone are the days where the best you could do is join a company for 30 years and slowly climb the greasy pole.
I see careers more as a “jungle”. There might be upward moves, lateral moves or even, sometimes, strategic downward moves to accelerate career growth in the long run.
Also, keep networking and connecting with people. You’ll never know where your next great opportunity is going to come from.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Who in my circle do I admire? What’s gotten them there? How can you emulate them? Hint: reach out and ask them directly :)
- What are the main trends in your industry and the most in-demand skills?
- Combining the answers to questions above, what projects/initatives can I take on (at work or on the side) to keep progressing?
And remember:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Thanks for reading!
What are your thoughts on AQ? What steps are taking to become more adaptable?
If you are trying to adapt to being a manager for the first time, you might be interested in checking out my article on the topic:
First time managing a team — Where do I start?
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