Adaptive intelligence

Adaptive intelligence is not a single “thing” that you can aim for. There is no single definition of the concept that is true for everyone in every situation. Therefore, there is no simple “1-2-3” formula for getting there. But we don’t want to sound too mystical or mysterious about this, so we hope this framework will set you on the right path.

In order to develop adaptive intelligence, you will need at least the following (one chapter on each):

Skills – including systems and critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, unlearning and deep insights into your industry or chosen area of expertise

Mindset shifts – As a human race we have been developing through the generations and centuries. Our journey has taken us from tribal clans of hunter-gatherers, through villages of family farmers, to city dwelling voters and global citizens. The journey is one we join as individuals. Spiral dynamics is a wonderful tool to analyse both where you are, and where your next development step needs to be.

Long-term outlook –

People skills – interpersonal intelligence starts with knowing yourself and what drives you, and then applying that same framework to others and the connections between people. Many different profiling tools are available – we’ll look at one of the most powerful that focuses on compulsions. It’s the Enneagram and it looks at roots and routes of personal and inter-personal development.

A direction/purpose/reason – what type of person/leader do you want to be? What is your contribution? What is it all for?

Time to think – You have to take time out. None of what you have read in this book can be squeezed into a busy life.