Imagine: your company has just introduced a new tool to tidy up your team’s workflow. Some coworkers are excited to try out the new software, others are resistant to do things differently — how would youface this change?
In a tech-driven world, your ability to learn and adapt to new tools — your technology Quotient (TQ) — could be the key to standing out.
What is TQ?
You might be familiar with IQ and EQ, your intelligence quotient and emotional intelligence quotient. Your IQ measures your ability to reason, and your EQ measures your ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions. Now, meet TQ!
Your technology quotient, or TQ, is your ability to confidently understand, learn, and use technology.
Just like a strong body helps you tackle physical challenges, a strong TQ helps you thrive in a tech-driven world — whether it’s mastering a new app, navigating a range of online collaboration tools, or staying current on the trending tech in your field.
What can TQ do for me?
TQ is more than just a buzzword — it’s a career superpower. Here’s why:
Employers value it. Teams with a collectively high TQ adapt faster to new tools, boosting their productivity.
It makes you resilient and confident. New software? New processes? No sweat — you'll have the skills to adjust and grow.
It opens up doors for you. Roles in nearly every field now involve tech, from telemedicine in healthcare to kitchen management systems in the culinary arts.
Did you know?
A 2023 report showed that 92% of jobs in the U.S. required digital skills, but one-third of workers didn't have the basic digital abilities needed to thrive in these jobs.
How can I build and use my TQ?
No one is born with a high TQ —y ou need to actively build and use it to your benefit. Here’s how:
Be curious: Don’t wait for someone to teach you. Play around with tools like Canva or Trello — you might be surprised by how fast you learn by experimenting.
Collaborate: Ask for tool tips and recommendations from techie colleagues, or volunteer to try out new tools and features for your team.
Be adaptable: Never get stuck in "the old way" of doing things. Make innovation your secret weapon.
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What tools can I use to build my TQ?
Listed below are some of the most commonly used apps and software in different industries. Try looking into or experimenting with one that interests you!
Who knows? You might grow your TQ and find yourself a new favorite tool while you're at it.
Education: Nearpod, Kahoot!, Desmos, Google Classroom
Healthcare: Epocrates, MDCalc, Dynamed, Medscape
Social work: Savvy Social Worker, Aunt Bertha, Northwoods Compass Copilot, Penelope
Small business ownership: FreshBooks, Square, Buffer, Toggl
Skilled labor & trades: Simpro, Sortly, Stockpile, iAuditor, PlanGrid
Design & creativity: Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch
CRM & marketing: Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, Zoho
Project management: Trello, Asana, Monday.com, Jira
Did you know?
Many of these software tools offer cost-free versions or free trial periods. Universities and public libraries also may have student editions of these tools available for you to use.
Scenario: High TQ in Action
Imagine: Your company has introduced a new project management tool with the goal of streamlining tasks. Most of your team is hesitant to use it, saying it feels unnecessary and complicated.
Each team is tasked with a small project that's due next week, and management is offering a bonus to the teams that successfully use the new tool to guide and accomplish their work.
What’s your best course of action to demonstrate your TQ?
A. Stick to the old tools your team is comfortable with to get the project done. You can try the new one out later.
B. Use the new tool for the project, but have a backup plan in case it's too hard to figure out.
C. Explore and test the new tool, and offer your team tips or resources to get them comfortable using it too.
Quiz
What should you do?
Take Action
Don't wait — take charge of your TQ and be unstoppable!
Start working out your TQ with this easy checklist:
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