Much has been said about IQ and EQ, but what leaders need now in this quick-shifting business environment is Adaptability Intelligence. Leaders must cultivate the adaptability to shift their approach and respond dynamically to today’s challenges while charting a course for the future.

What is adaptability intelligence? It’s an Emotional and Social Intelligence Leadership Competency that entails having the flexibility to handle change, balance multiple demands, and adapt to new situations with fresh ideas. (Goleman et al., 2017). Being able to cultivate this flexibility requires emotional maturity, a critical skill that goes beyond emotional and social intelligence, and which at ASB, we rank among the top Smart skills of the future. What does adaptable, emotionally mature leadership look like?

We think it’s a lot like water. Just as water has the ability to shapeshift, the adaptable leader can meet challenges as they arise and adjust their approach based on what is needed most.

Just as water is life-giving when it’s clear and pure, in an always-on world, leaders must master the art of being consistently authentic, whether onscreen or offscreen. And just as water may seem gentle and yielding on the surface, its persistence can carve through surfaces as hard as stone. Even when seemingly trapped, water finds a new path to flow towards. We believe it’s the timeless, lasting things that allow a leader to handle this dizzying pace of change. This includes a leader’s self-awareness of their values and purpose and cultivated skills like empathy and mindfulness.

In this course, emerging mid-level leaders and managers will be equipped with a toolkit that will help them navigate the shifting waters of uncertainty, while leading with courage and empathy. This toolkit is built to help leaders not only survive, but thrive in times of great change.