Black Swan Event Simulation: Adaptability in Action for HR Leaders
How will you respond to a black swan event (a rare, unpredictable event with a large impact)? Build greater confidence in uncertainty.
Date and time
Location
Online
Refund Policy
Lineup
About this event
- Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes
This live, immersive simulation, hosted by adaptability expert Ross Thornley, puts you in the middle of a rapidly evolving workplace crisis. Through guided scenarios, reflection, and decision-making, you’ll explore how your own AQ (Adaptability Quotient) shows up under pressure, and how it could shape your impact as a leader in moments that matter most.
Based on real-world disruptions and designed for HR professionals, this session offers a safe but challenging environment to practice the thinking, communication, and collaboration skills that define high-AQ teams.
Whether you’ve taken your AQme report already or are just curious to see how you perform when the unexpected hits, this is your chance to shift from theory to felt experience.
What You’ll Experience:
- A high-stakes, HR-focused scenario inspired by real global disruption
- Breakout discussions and rapid response polls to simulate decision pressure
- Reflection prompts that tie directly back to your AQ profile (if taken)
- The chance to compare your adaptability response with others in the room
Key Outcomes:
✔️ Gain deeper insight into how your AQ (Adaptability Intelligence) shows up under pressure
✔️ Identify blind spots that may hinder your leadership in change
✔️ Build language and examples you can use with your own teams
✔️ Walk away with practical strategies to embed AQ in your HR practice
Frequently asked questions
A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. They are characterized by their potentially severe impact and the widespread insistence that they were obvious in hindsight.
It’s not required, but strongly recommended. Your personal AQ report gives you deeper context for how you respond during the simulation, and helps you connect the dots between theory and behavior. You can take the AQme Assessment here: https://app.aqai.io/
This isn’t passive learning. You’ll be placed in a high-pressure, unfolding situation and asked to make decisions, vote, and reflect in real time. It’s immersive, fast-paced, and emotionally engaging, built to simulate what real change feels like.
Absolutely. The simulation is designed for HR professionals, people leaders, and change agents, anyone who wants to build readiness for the next big shift, whether that’s AI adoption, restructuring, or industry disruption.
The simulation is led by Ross Thornley, co-founder of AQai and creator of the AQme assessment. He’s facilitated adaptability sessions for organizations like the United Nations, WorldCC, and global HR leaders.
A quiet space with strong internet Your AQme report (if completed) Willingness to reflect and participate Optional: Watch our short documentary Pivot Point before the event → https://youtu.be/E7VsQt90kWU
Yes, however, the recording will only be shared with those registered, to protect the interactive nature of the event and ensure everyone can participate freely.
It’s a live, interactive scenario where you’ll face a fast-evolving workplace disruption. Think of it as a leadership fire drill, designed to surface your natural response to unexpected change and help you reflect on your adaptability (AQ) in action.