
The End Of History Illusion
From Daily Creative with Todd Henry by Todd Henry
February 24, 2026 · 22 min · Season 1 · Episode 97
About this episode
This episode explores the concept of Agility Quotient (AQ) and its importance in navigating change and uncertainty in today's world.
In this episode, we explore a new dimension of intelligence for navigating our rapidly-changing world. We start with the story of Hiroo Onoda, a soldier whose unwavering commitment to a mission long after its context had vanished becomes a powerful metaphor for how rigidity can keep us stuck. We dive deep into "AQ"—Agility Quotient—with Liz Tran, founder of AQ Learning Lab and author of AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing . Liz breaks down why AQ matters now more than ever, as change, disappointment, and uncertainty become the hallmarks of modern life, exceeding the rates of just decades ago. We unpack the origins and limitations of IQ and EQ, and highlight how AQ is the urgent intelligence we all need to cultivate. Liz shares the four archetypes for handling change—Astronaut, Neurosurgeon, Novelist, and Firefighter—each representing different strengths and pitfalls. We discuss practical strategies for creative leaders to grow their AQ, especially those ahead of the curve who struggle to bring others with them. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to staying agile, relevant, and creative as the world evolves beneath our feet. Key…
People in this episode
Host: Todd Henry
Guest: Liz Tran
Topics covered
- Agility Quotient
- change management
- intelligence
- rigidity vs agility
- creative leadership
Keywords
- Agility Quotient
- change
- intelligence
- rigidity
- creative leaders
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AQ Learning Lab
Books & works: AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing
More episodes of Daily Creative with Todd Henry
- Signal To Noise · June 9, 2026 · 39 min
- The Success Wound · June 2, 2026 · 25 min
- Stop Hoarding Your Genius: Why Habits Precede Breakthroughs · May 26, 2026 · 32 min
- When Bad News Is Good News · May 19, 2026 · 36 min
- Constraint & Uncertainty: David Epstein and Simone Stolzoff on Thinking Inside The Box · May 12, 2026 · 39 min
- What's Running The Show? Henry Cloud and Owen O'Kane on Strategy & Anxiety · May 5, 2026 · 38 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Daily Creative with Todd Henry podcast page.