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

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

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”