[Reading level: C1 – Advanced]
Knowing how to adapt has a great evolutionary advantage. It’s also a trait of intelligence. Would you like to know what people with a high adaptability quotient (AQ) are like? Being open-minded is one characteristic. Discover the others below.
Health crises, social changes, economic ups and downs, wars, and the perpetual shadow of uncertainty. Throughout history, and not just in recent years, human beings have faced multiple challenges. It isn’t easy to adapt to what the future brings. However, knowing how to adjust to it, as far as possible, always benefits us.
“Adapt or die” claims the old adage. It suggests that an inability to adapt involves a great deal of capitulation and little flexibility or mental ingenuity. Indeed, it never hurts to consider that, at difficult times, adaptation can make the difference between sinking or swimming.
As a matter of fact, some experts claim there’s a need to invent a new term. One that allows us to evaluate the ability of adaptation, a skill that’s both extraordinary and essential at the same time. After all, we’re all rather afraid of change and interference in our routines. Furthermore, nothing in this world is ever certain or 100 percent predictable. Therefore, knowing how to adapt is a basic act of survival.
The Adaptability Quotient (AQ) defines a competence with which we can put aside knowledge or strategies that are no longer useful to adapt to change via more effective resources. This term was coined by Professor Stuart Parkin, director of the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany.
The purpose of the adaptability quotient is to reformulate the world of business and organizations. This is because the so-called fourth industrial revolution, (technology) requires the implementation of new systems and new ways of thinking. In effect, we’re facing numerous imminent changes and need to have a competitive and evolutionary advantage.
Think back, for a moment, to Charles Darwin and his theories. He claimed, “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”. This mechanism is adaptation. Being able to measure it, just as we do with IQ or emotional intelligence, is an interesting concept.
The adaptability quotient concept is still a project in the making. However, since 2010, it’s proved to be useful in many areas. For example, data offered by the World Economic Forum in 2017 suggests that 65 percent of the jobs around today will no longer exist when children in primary school now enter the labor market.
Moreover, it’s not just companies that need to be more adaptable. In fact, all of us must develop our capacity for adaptability to the maximum. Let’s explore the characteristics of the individual with a high AQ.
- They’re not afraid of new situations.
- Their gaze is firmly focused on the future.
- They consider themselves to be learners in life.
- They’re empathetic and possess good social skills.
- They’re interested in learning concepts and strategies.
- They demonstrate good problem-solving skills.
- Their aim is to see and understand reality from all perspectives.
- They have a flexible mental approach and possess good lateral thinking.
- They’re extremely environmentally aware and conscious of social problems.
- They’re creative and handle stress well.
- They have open minds. Furthermore, they’re curious and aware that we all tend to reinforce certain cognitive biases that we must deactivate.
In 2016, the University of South Carolina (USA) proposed a method for measuring individual differences in adaptation. The authors explained that individuals with high levels of adaptability possess better psychological resources in the face of changes and challenges. Having an instrument for the evaluation of AQ will allow us to train those who need skills in this area.
However, you may still be wondering about the whys and wherefores of AQ and how useful adaptation really is. Find out here.
We can’t foresee the future, but we can prepare for it
No one has a crystal ball and can see what’s going to happen tomorrow. For instance, nobody foresaw that we were going to suffer a pandemic. Whilst it was not outside the realms of probability, it still caught us all off guard, companies, social organizations, and individuals alike.
Therefore, developing skills for adapting to change, with good resources and no resistance, makes life easier for us. After all, we’re all walking our own tightropes and must maintain our balance in the face of any movement or small vibration. Knowing how to adapt means being able to move forward without fear.
Better problem-solving skills
Adaptation doesn’t mean submission, resignation, neglect, or passivity. It’s a response that includes goal-oriented and motivated behavior. Moreover, it’s characterized by a good dose of creativity, self-confidence, and courage. In fact, adaptation is synonymous with facing challenges. It involves assuming reality with no resistance, promoting situations in our favor, and moving forward.
Benefits our psychological well-being and personal and work prospects
The adaptability quotient suggests that we should all optimize adaptability a little more. It’s a muscle that promotes self-realization, progress, and even mental well-being. To understand it, think of the people you know with adaptation problems and how unhappy they are.
We all need to know how to navigate uncertain seas with no resistance. What we don’t accept causes us stress and anxiety. Moreover, not understanding that life means change, subjects us to ignorance and blindness. Society, work, and even our relationships can vary from one day to the next. Adapting optimizes our development.
Final reflection
NASA aims to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. In fact, programs are already being designed to promote the physiological and mental adaptability of the astronauts who’ll face one of the most challenging projects in history. However, returning to our little blue planet for a moment, we’ll also be facing multiple challenges.
For example, technology will continue to transform lives in many ways. There’ll also be new social, labor, and psychological challenges. We must be psyched up and prepared. Our adaptability must encompass optimism, hope, and passion. We must also trust in our abilities to respond and create a better future. That’s the key.
Source: https://grip-learning.com/what-is-adaptability-quotient-aq/#:~:text=AQ%20is%20a%20subjective%20set%20of%20qualities%20and,learn%20from%20experiences%2C%20and%20effectively%20respond%20to%20challenges.
WORD BANK:
adapt /əˈdæpt/ [B2] (v): thích nghi
evolutionary advantage /ˌev.əˈluː.ʃə.ner.i ədˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ/ (n): lợi thế tiến hóa
trait /treɪt/ [B2] (n): đặc điểm
open-minded /ˌoʊ.pənˈmaɪn.dɪd/ [B2] (adj): cởi mở
crisis /ˈkraɪ.sɪs/ [B2] (n): khủng hoảng
crises /ˈkraɪ.siːz/ (n, plural): các cuộc khủng hoảng
ups and downs /ˌʌps ən ˈdaʊnz/ (n): thăng trầm
perpetual /pɚˈpetʃ.u.əl/ [C1] (adj): vĩnh viễn, liên tục
the perpetual shadow of sth (phr): cái bóng dai dẳng của điều gì
old adage /oʊld ˈæd.ɪdʒ/ (n): câu tục ngữ xưa
involve sth /ɪnˈvɑːlv/ [B1] (v): bao gồm, liên quan đến
capitulation /kəˌpɪtʃ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/ [C2] (n): sự đầu hàng
flexibility /ˌflek.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ [B2] (n): sự linh hoạt
mental ingenuity /ˈmen.t̬əl ˌɪn.dʒəˈnuː.ə.t̬i/ (n): sự sáng tạo về trí tuệ
make a difference [B1] (v): tạo ra sự khác biệt
evaluate sth /ɪˈvæl.ju.eɪt/ [B2] (v): đánh giá
extraordinary /ɪkˈstrɔːr.dəˌner.i/ [C1] (adj): phi thường
interference /ˌɪn.tɚˈfɪr.əns/ [C1] (n): sự can thiệp
predictable /prɪˈdɪk.t̬ə.bəl/ [B2] (adj): có thể dự đoán
define sth /dɪˈfaɪn/ [B1] (v): định nghĩa
put aside sth /pʊt əˈsaɪd/ (v): gác sang một bên
via sth /ˈvaɪ.ə/ [B2] (pre): thông qua
coin (a term) /kɔɪn/ (v): đặt ra (thuật ngữ)
microstructure /ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌstrʌk.tʃɚ/ (n): cấu trúc vi mô
reformulate /ˌriːˈfɔːr.mjə.leɪt/ [C2] (v): diễn đạt lại
the so-called /ðə ˌsoʊˈkɔːld/ (adj): cái gọi là
implementation /ˌɪm.plə.menˈteɪ.ʃən/ [C1] (n): sự thực hiện
in effect /ɪn ɪˈfekt/ (phr): trên thực tế
imminent /ˈɪm.ə.nənt/ [C1] (adj): sắp xảy ra
mechanism /ˈmek.əˌnɪz.əm/ [B2] (n): cơ chế
concept /ˈkɑːn.sept/ [B2] (n): khái niệm
in the making /ɪn ðə ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/ (phr): đang hình thành
to the maximum (phr): đến mức tối đa
gaze /ɡeɪz/ [C1] (n): ánh nhìn chăm chú
empathetic /ˌem.pəˈθet̬.ɪk/ [C1] (adj): đồng cảm
demonstrate /ˈdem.ən.streɪt/ [B2] (v): chứng minh
perspective /pɚˈspek.t̬ɪv/ [B2] (n): quan điểm
lateral thinking /ˌlæt̬.ɚ.əl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/ (n): tư duy sáng tạo, tư duy bên
aware of sth /əˈwer əv/ [B2] (adj): nhận thức về điều gì
conscious of sth /ˈkɑːn.ʃəs əv/ [B2] (adj): ý thức về điều gì
handle /ˈhæn.dəl/ [B1] (v): xử lý
curious /ˈkjʊr.i.əs/ [B2] (adj): tò mò
cognitive bias /ˈkɑːɡ.nə.t̬ɪv ˈbaɪ.əs/ (n): thiên kiến nhận thức
deactivate sth /ˌdiːˈæk.tə.veɪt/ (v): vô hiệu hóa
psychological /ˌsaɪ.kəˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl/ [B2] (adj): thuộc tâm lý
in the face of sth /ɪn ðə feɪs əv/ (phr): đối mặt với
instrument /ˈɪn.strə.mənt/ [B2] (n): công cụ
the whys of sth (n): những lý do của điều gì
the wherefores of sth /ˈwer.fɔːrz/ (n): căn nguyên, lý do
crystal ball /ˈkrɪs.təl bɔːl/ (n): quả cầu pha lê (ẩn dụ: khả năng tiên đoán)
foresaw /fɔːrˈsɔː/ (v, past of foresee): đã tiên liệu
pandemic /pænˈdem.ɪk/ [B2] (n): đại dịch
outside the realms of probability (phr): ngoài phạm vi khả năng xảy ra
catch sb off guard (v): làm ai đó bất ngờ
resistance /rɪˈzɪs.təns/ [B2] (n): sự kháng cự
walk the tightrope (idiom): đi trên dây (ẩn dụ: giữ thăng bằng mong manh)
vibration /vaɪˈbreɪ.ʃən/ [B2] (n): sự rung động
submission /səbˈmɪʃ.ən/ [C1] (n): sự phục tùng
resignation /ˌrez.ɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/ [C1] (n): sự cam chịu
goal-oriented /ˈɡoʊl ˌɔːr.i.en.t̬ɪd/ (adj): định hướng mục tiêu
be characterized by sth /ˈker.ək.t̬ɚ.aɪzd/ (v): được đặc trưng bởi
a good dose of sth /ə ɡʊd doʊs əv/ (n): một lượng đáng kể
courage /ˈkɝː.ɪdʒ/ [B2] (n): lòng dũng cảm
synonymous with sth /sɪˈnɑː.nə.məs/ (adj): đồng nghĩa với
assume reality /əˈsuːm riˈæl.ə.t̬i/ (v): chấp nhận thực tế
in one’s favor /ɪn wʌnz ˈfeɪ.vɚ/ (phr): có lợi cho ai
optimize /ˈɑːp.t̬ə.maɪz/ [C1] (v): tối ưu hóa
muscle /ˈmʌs.əl/ [B1] (n): cơ bắp
self-realization /ˌself ˌriː.ə.ləˈzeɪ.ʃən/ (n): sự tự nhận thức bản thân
navigate /ˈnæv.ə.ɡeɪt/ [B2] (v): điều hướng, xoay xở
subject sb to sth /ˈsʌb.dʒekt/ (v): bắt ai chịu điều gì
ignorance /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ [B2] (n): sự thiếu hiểu biết
blindness /ˈblaɪnd.nəs/ (n): sự mù quáng
astronaut /ˈæs.trə.nɑːt/ [B2] (n): phi hành gia
psyched up /saɪkt ʌp/ (adj): sẵn sàng tinh thần
encompass sth /ɪnˈkʌm.pəs/ [C1] (v): bao hàm
optimism /ˈɑːp.tə.mɪ.zəm/ [B2] (n): sự lạc quan
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