Adaptability Intelligence (AQ) is your capacity to adjust what you think, how you work, and how you relate under changing conditions. In practice, AQ helps you set direction amid ambiguity, switch strategies without losing momentum, and keep people engaged through uncertainty.

Why it matters in 2025–2026: Volatile markets, AI-driven workflows, and shifting customer expectations make uncertainty the default.

How Adaptability Intelligence (AQ) Enables EQ

Adaptability intelligence (AQ) is the foundation that makes emotional intelligence (EQ) improvable and sustainable. Leaders grow and maintain EQ when they can orient quickly to change, unlearn/relearn, and regulate energy and focus under pressure.

“Since 2019, emotional intelligence has decreased by 5.79%, with notable drops in optimism (8.04%) and emotional navigation skills (5.91%).” — Six Seconds, State of the Heart 2025
Source: https://www.6seconds.org/2025/09/08/the-emotional-recession-trillions-of-dollars-trillions-of-heavy-days/

Implication for leaders:

• Low AQ undermines EQ development and consistency, increasing volatility in reactions and relationships.
• Build AQ first to enable durable EQ, leading to clearer decisions, steadier communication, and sustainable performance.

How AQ Helps You Navigate Uncertainty

Use AQ to make uncertainty manageable and executable:

• Decide with incomplete data
• Reprioritise fast
• Communicate clearly under change
• Maintain team resilience
• Accelerate adoption
• Reduce risk without stalling

5 Steps to Build AQ (Start This Quarter)

Measure your baseline

Set a 90-day outcome

Train the core AQ muscles

• Learning agility: Schedule weekly reviews of what changed and how you responded. Capture one “keep/stop/start.”

• Mental flexibility: Practice reframing: write two alternate explanations and one alternate plan for any major change.

• Unlearn/relearn: Identify one process to sunset and one to adopt; assign owners and a date.

Operationalise adaptability

• Decision rhythm: Set a fixed cadence (e.g., Mon strategy, Thu review).
• If, Then triggers: “If we miss X by Y%, then shift to Plan B.”
• Change comms: Use a standard 5-point update (why, what, impact, support, next check-in).

Track progress and iterate

• Monitor 3–5 indicators weekly: decision cycle time, priority churn, change adoption rate, team engagement pulse, and customer impact.
• Review monthly
• Adjust the next 90-day sprint.

Get Started with Support

• Assess adaptability now: Establish your AQ baseline and target high-impact actions with the AQai Adaptability Assessment.
• Build the skills: Strengthen AQ and EQ together through focused coaching, workshops, and team development. Learn more: KGT leadership and coaching services.
• Are you ready to center adaptability intelligence in your leadership journey? Explore KGT Consulting’s leadership and coaching services to future-proof your organisation: Learn more here.