AQR International Blog
The latest Innovations in Improving Performance
Longevity & Wellbeing
How mental toughness can be a significant factor in leading a longer and better life. Why is longevity rising on the agenda? The average age of a male born in my birth year, 1949, is 65.3 years - the same in North America. For a male born this year, 2025, life...
How Mental Toughness Can Benefit Higher Education Organisations and Students
Background The business school, based in mainland Europe, is an elite business school which was ranked in the top three schools worldwide in its field. The flagship programme was a Master’s programme which attracted academically elite students from around the...
A Mental Toughness Study on Headteachers and Deputy Heads in Scotland
Background The programme was a joint project between the AHDS (Association of Heads and Deputy Heads in Scotland) and SCEL (Scottish College for Educational Leadership). The focus of the programme was to help Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers to deal more...
A Toolbox With Only One Tool Isn’t Much of a Toolbox
Probably the most common response we get when speaking about the use of psychometrics is “I have my psychometric”. What they mean is they have one measure, often an ipsative measure, that they apply in every circumstance. People are complex. Each person is unique....
They Say Ignorance is Bliss. It Isn’t. It’s Dangerous.
A few weeks ago, we were in discussion with a client about them considering using our mental toughness questionnaire – the MTQPlus – in their development programmes. The MTQPlus is a well-researched and very well-evidenced measure. The client seemed interested but...
Why We Need to Better Understand What We Mean by Strengths
Mental Toughness describes who you are and how you respond mentally to adversity, obstacles, challenges and opportunities. A mentally tough person is not necessarily mentally strong. A mentally sensitive person is not weak. These labels confuse and interfere with...