In an increasingly complex, changeable and unpredictable world, the ability, will and not least courage to change are more important than ever. The ability to change has become a competitive parameter to an unprecedented degree, and change has become the rule rather than the exception in many workplaces.
However, change also comes with a risk. A risk of making mistakes or not quite delivering the expected results. When that happens, you are faced with a fundamental choice: Should you face up to it, listen to criticism and learn from it, or bury your head in the sand and “sweep it all under the rug”?
The answer to that question can be found in the scandals that have affected top politicians and business leaders. These often highlight that “the cover up is worse than the crime”.
Having the courage to try something new is one thing. It is something else entirely to have the courage to admit your mistakes and learn from them. In other words, it is not just about readiness for change, but about being able to adapt – or having the Adaptability Quotient, popularly abbreviated to AQ.
So what is AQ? How do you find it? And do today’s leaders have the AQ needed to run modern businesses in a highly changeable world?
AQ is the new black – “Deal with it”!
