Neurosurgeon, firefighter, or astronaut: what is your AQ type and how does it work in crises?

AQ (agility quotient) is a person's ability to adapt to change, withstand stress, and act in conditions of uncertainty. According to Liz Tran, a coach for company founders and CEOs, AQ is an essential skill for survival and success today.

In his new book, "AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That’s Always Changing" It describes four types of people—archetypes—who react differently to pressure, chaos, and crises.

1. "Neurosurgeon"

This is you, if:

• You rely on tried-and-true habits and don't like sudden changes.

• You value long-term relationships and stability.

• You only risk if you have a clear plan.

• In a crisis, the first reaction is anxiety: "How do I fix this?"

Motivation: perfection and control. Strengths: endurance, expertise, reliability in complex systems. Weaknesses: perfectionism and fear of making mistakes, slowness in chaos.

Solution: Intentionally step into your comfort zone and make decisions faster than usual.

2. "The Novelist"

This is you, if:

• constantly trying new things

• You need freedom in your schedule and decision-making.

• You take risks for the sake of autonomy.

• in a crisis, you get irritated: "This wasn't part of my plan."

Motivation: freedom and choice. Strengths: vision of the future, ideas, inspiration for others. Weaknesses: tendency to run away from difficult situations due to constant "excuses".

Solution: Learn to accept reality as it is and not run away from unwanted changes.

3. "Firefighter"

This is you, if:

• The greater the chaos, the calmer you are.

• you react better here and now than you plan

• You take a risk if you are ready to deal with the consequences.

• In a crisis, you think: "Life is always unstable."

Motivation: impact and tangible results. Strengths: a cool head in extreme situations, quick reaction, optimism. Weaknesses: living in a constant state of emergency and lack of a long-term strategy.

Solution: Stop regularly and plan ahead, even when "everything is already on fire."

4. "Astronaut"

This is you, if:

• Do you believe that imagination is more important than knowledge?

• You perceive risk as a condition for progress.

• believe that you are capable of anything

• In a crisis, you think: "Not perfect, but I'll manage."

Motivation: passion. Strengths: speed, authenticity, ability to adapt instantly. Weaknesses: ignoring details, problems with bringing ideas to fruition.

The solution: slow down and translate big ideas into concrete steps.

How to develop AQ

These archetypes are not tests or labels, but a tool for self-observation. Their purpose is not to confine you, but to better understand how you behave under pressure and what hinders or helps you move forward.