Great leaders are known for their great qualities - such as an indomitable will, accountability, patience, and the ability to adapt and even thrive in any environment they find themselves in.
But as any adult knows, leadership roles don't only apply to politics, nor do they end in the corporate world. Leaders (and their leadership qualities) are helpful in all walks of life - from the big to the small, serious to frivolous.
Hence, these qualities can be honed and developed by everyone and anyone.
Sadly, families, schools, and society at large seldom teach people how to be leaders.
A lot of people grow up being told what to do all their lives, and they suddenly shiver and break when they face real-life problems and adversities because no one is telling them what to do anymore.
The problem is, while families, schools, and society at large might be great at helping people develop their Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Social Quotient (SQ), as well as Emotional Quotient (EQ), they do a poor job of developing their Adversity Quotient (AQ).
And without or lack of this important quotient, the rest may be insufficient in handling life's challenges.
In case you're wondering what these types of quotients mean:
A measure of a persons' comprehensive ability to handle information. The ability to solve math problems, memorize facts, and recall subject matter when needed.
The measure of a person's ability to maintain or be at peace with others. It may involve matters as mundane as keeping to time, being responsive in conversations, being humble, genuine, and considerate of others, yet it has far-reaching effects.
The measure of a person’s ability to connect, make friends and build a network of "friends", as well as the ability to maintain it for years or decades to come. The larger and stronger the network, the more a person is considered to have a high SQ.
According to Paul G. Stoltz, Ph.D. in his book, "Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities", is the ability of a person to "deal with" adversities in his or her life.
In other words, AQ is purely a measure of a person's resilience. Adversity or Adaptability Quotient is the ability to go through difficulties, pains, disappointments, trauma, etc., without losing your mind.
Having a low AQ isn't something that can easily be augmented or walked around (as in the case of low SQ or IQ) as every individual is bound to face challenges at one point or the other in life. This could be the loss of a huge sum of money, a job, a loved one, or some other tragedy.
Without high AQ, or resilience, sadness, anxiety, depression, and even suicide are more likely. In other words, AQ can help prevent the onset of some mental health problems.
There’s no denying that adversity is an inescapable part of life, so we should prepare for it.
It is true that people who have "higher EQ and SQ" tend to do better in life than those with "high IQ but low EQ and SQ". However, none of those qualities would save a person from the devastating blow of a gut-wrenching setback except a high AQ.
But having a high AQ is even more than that! Having a high Adversity Quotient has been linked to some very helpful abilities an individual ought to have to succeed in life.
According to developmental psychologist, Emmy Werner Ph.D., on "Resilience Theory", children who have high AQ also exhibit the following characteristics:
Thankfully AQ, just like all other forms of quotients can be gradually improved upon..
These are the following ways to develop your AQ:
Stoicism is a philosophy that has regained traction in recent times thanks to the works of authors like Ryan Holiday.
The philosophy encourages an acceptance (and even love) of one's fate (no matter what it may be). It requires that you get objective about life - rather than looking away or (worse) sugar coating its brutal nature - hiding under wishful thinking.
Once you accept life for what it is, you can better face it (because you'd get prepared).
Accept/take responsibility for your actions, admit that you can be wrong sometimes, and when you make mistakes, learn from them.
We are in a social media age where people are getting more and more hooked to the internet. Social media is great, but too much of it keeps you away from reality and makes you lose sight of what is real, immediate, and important.
Learn to act despite your fear. Learn to be comfortable with uncertainties.
Build a network of friends that you can fall back to when things get rough and confusing. Don't lean on your strength alone.
Meditate on the things you've done and how they could be done better.
That way you learn from your mistakes and do better next time. Also, think about the future and all the hurdles and opportunities that it holds if you never give up and keep going.
Keep this in mind: In life those who stay strong (especially when they suffer multiple setbacks within short intervals) are those who can accept that they are the masters of their fate (no matter what might, or had happened).
And they believe that things are bound to get better as they don’t easily lose hope even when the going gets tough.
Having said that, don't make the mistake of focusing on either IQ, EQ, or SQ alone, but realize that all quotients work together to create a well-adjusted and functioning individual - an intelligent, loving, powerful, and indomitable you!
Editor's note: This article was originally published Feb 12, 2022 and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash
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July 6, 2025
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I thought the article would have a quiz to take for the results. Good article either way thanks for it.
We're so happy you enjoyed it, Cathy! We are working on having many quizzes on the site and will update our community when they are ready!!
Congratulations! This is by far the most interesting and innovative article on psychology that I ve read so far and although I know all this already as I studied the effects of feeling like a victim in the past in a long course I ve done, I love the way you laid it out clearly for people to read.
Thank you so much for that positive feedback, Desiree! We're so happy it resonated with you. 🙂
Brilliant article about Quotient 1-4
It included all without any sugar coating....
somehow I will use this in my teaching, step by step to soften it.
Clarity in your message, I call that power
Many thanks
Pia
We're so happy you enjoyed it, Pia! Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Thank you!I enjoyed this article. Goes along nicely with what I am working on with my Life Coach!
That's great Michelle! Wishing you luck on your journey! 🙂
I am 60 years young.
I feel so annoyed with these problems younger people are facing. I have been involved with a narricict for 34 + years.
So many answers.
It must be hard to have all of that wisdom, but see so many others struggling. What advice would you give?
Very helpful and motivational.
Learning from this piece would assist anyone to forge ahead irrespective of what life throws at one.
Kudos to the author