Namita Mankad
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often praised as the hallmark of great leadership. The ability to navigate emotions, empathize, and build relationships is undoubtedly essential.
But in today’s volatile world, EQ alone isn’t enough.
There’s another quality that truly defines leaders who rise above: Adversity Quotient (AQ).
AQ is your resilience, adaptability, and ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones. It’s what separates those who break under pressure from those who emerge stronger.
Adversity isn’t a possibility—it’s a certainty. How you handle it defines you.
Adversity Will Test You. Your AQ Will Define You.
Every professional, at some point, faces adversity: layoffs, toxic workplaces, failed projects, personal hardships. These moments can either break you or push you toward something better.
Layoffs:
🅧 They can make you feel like a failure.
✔️ Or they can be the catalyst for your next big career move.
Toxic workplaces:
🅧 They can drain your energy and confidence.
✔️ Or they can force you to set stronger boundaries and demand better.
Failed projects:
🅧 They can shake your self-belief.
✔️ Or they can refine your leadership and problem-solving skills.
Adversity isn’t about what happens to you—it’s about how you respond.
My Phoenix Year: When AQ Became My Superpower
I thought I had resilience. I thought I had grit. But nothing tested me more than my divorce.
At that moment, I had two choices:
- Numb the pain, retreat, and let adversity define me.
- Face it head-on and use it as fuel for transformation.
I chose the latter. Instead of seeking comfort, I pushed myself to do something radically difficult—I attended a silent retreat. Alone with my thoughts, I confronted every emotion, fear, and insecurity. And in that discomfort, I discovered my greatest power: my AQ.
That first year didn’t break me. It became my Phoenix year—the year I rebuilt myself from the ashes.
Personally:
✔️ Lost 20+ lbs.
✔️ Started investing in funds & ETFs.
✔️ Bought my first investment property.
Professionally:
✔️ Earned my PMP certification.
✔️ Managed a team of 25+ people.
✔️ Got promoted to director.
Beyond career and finances, I even had my story published with the Smithsonian to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Had I not faced adversity directly, I wouldn’t have unlocked my full potential. AQ allowed me to turn the page and rewrite my story.
Why AQ Matters More Than Ever
Tech moves fast. Industries evolve. Layoffs, reorgs, and market downturns are inevitable. Expecting stability is a trap.
The best leaders aren’t just skilled—they have high AQ. They don’t crumble under uncertainty; they adapt and rise.
Think about the leaders who inspire you most. Chances are, they didn’t have a smooth, predictable path. They faced challenges, adapted, and used adversity as fuel for growth.
That’s the power of AQ.
How to Build Your AQ and Rise Like a Phoenix
If AQ is the key to thriving, how do you strengthen it? Here’s where to start:
✔️ Embrace discomfort. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Instead of avoiding hard situations, lean into them.
✔️ Reframe setbacks as opportunities. Ask: What can I learn from this? How can this make me stronger?
✔️ Invest in self-leadership. Read, learn, and develop skills that increase your adaptability.
✔️ Build mental resilience. Meditation, journaling, and mindfulness can help you navigate stress with clarity.
✔️ Surround yourself with people who elevate you. The right network can shift your perspective and inspire resilience.
Adversity is coming. Will it break you—or will it build you?
Your AQ determines the answer.
Rise like a Phoenix. Strengthen your AQ. And become the leader you were meant to be.
