Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

In this presentation, I will consider the book entitled Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities.

Adversity is the problem or challenge that comes up in one’s life. Going through a divorce, job loss due to company downsizing, or being diagnosed with a chronic medical illness are common adversities. People who are resilient are described as having the ability to “bounce back” from life’s adversities. (Please go to “The Word Is…” on my website for an audio presentation on resiliency and the 2008 Superbowl champions-the New York Giants.)

In this book, Dr. Paul Stoltz, provides The Adversity Response Profile (ARP) Quicktake™ This is a test you can take to determine what he describes is your Adversity Quotient (AQ). Obtaining your results and interpreting them may be complex, but the increase in self-understanding is well worth the effort. According to him, people fall into 3 main categories and they are: 1) the Quitter, 2) the Camper, and 3) the Climber.

The Quitter is described as someone who drops out of the ascent which is specifically “ascending toward success.” They have little faith or resources to even start the climb. The Camper started the climb towards success and can actually be quite successful. But, the Camper eventually reaches a plateau and then stays there. The camper is indeed a “happy camper” because wherever one is, it is good enough. Not so with the Climber. The plateau reached is merely a rest stop. Each success engenders more energy and propels the Climber forward. Complacency is not a part of the Climber’s makeup. And it is the Climber who can continue to persevere despite what adversity may be present. Dr. Stoltz describes the Climber who takes advantage of the opportunity for success present in adversity as engaging in “advertunity.”

The ARP Quicktake™ provides an AQ score which is composed of 4 components. These are
1) C=control
2) O²=origin and ownership
3) R=reach
4) E-endurance

The first component addresses a person’s ability to know what one can and cannot control and to do something about that which is under one’s control. The second component is about the ability to accept blame and take responsibility where appropriate. The third component refers to the ability to keep the negative effects of adversity to a minimum. And doing so is possible with the addition of the fourth component which is to view adversity as temporary and external. These four components optimize the opportunity for growth given adversity.

What to do if you find your AQ is on the low side? Take heart! According to Dr. Stoltz, “AQ is not your fate, it is a snapshot of your habitual response to adversity, a measure of the consistent subconscious pattern which you have developed over the years. AQ explains and measures your tendency to climb, camp, or quit, and teaches you the skills for the ascent.”


How can you increase your AQ? Developed by Dr. Stoltz is the LEAD technique described below. It is a technique which can be learned and, with practice, becomes easier to use.

L=Listen to the Adversity Response.
This entails becoming aware of the adversity and your response to it as soon as possible.

E=Explore the origins of the adversity and the ownership of the outcome.
This refers to the ability to accept blame and take responsibility as appropriate (see O²=origin and ownership)

A=Analyze the evidence.
This is the ability to be more realistic and put things into perspective.

D=Do something!
The final step in the LEAD technique is to take action.

Why bother raising your AQ? According to Dr. Stoltz, “…only climbers live life fully.” He goes on to say, “They feel a deep sense of purpose and passion for what they do. They know how to experience joy, recognizing it as a gift and reward for the Climb. Knowing that the peak may be elusive, Climbers never forget the power of the journey over the destination.”

Thank you. May this book be influential in your life on your own road to success. Please contact me if there is a particular book you would like me to read and review.