Dr. Paul G. Stoltz is the world’s leading expert on measuring and strengthening human resilience. He is author of three international bestselling books on the subject — printed in 14 languages — was voted by Executive Excellence as "One of the 100 Most Influential Thinkers of Our Time," and is a visiting professor at Harvard Business School, which selected Dr. Stoltz’s AQ (Adversity Quotient) theory and method as the global best practice for assessing and improving both individual and organizational resilience.
Today, AQ is the most widely adopted resilience building method in the world, currently in use by industry-leading companies and many governments across the globe. In 1987, Dr. Stoltz founded PEAK Learning, Inc., a global research and consulting firm, through which he coaches, consults, teaches, and collaborates with top leaders, thinkers, and influencers within a broad range of organizations from start-ups and NGO’s to the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Fortune 100 on six continents.
As a highly sought-after thought leader, presenter and teacher, Dr. Stoltz combines inspiration with application, delivering a compelling and practical message to audiences of 10 to 10,000 people. As PEAK’s global reach grows, Dr. Stoltz remains highly active in the classroom, teaching AQ to groups of all levels and sizes in a broad range of indoor and outdoor settings, including some of the largest venues in the world.
As Director of the Global Resilience Project, Dr. Stoltz oversees a research agenda in twenty-one countries dedicated to exploring, expanding, and advancing the applications of AQ to strengthen people and their organizations. His research partners include top thinkers at Yale University, Stanford University, and more than a dozen universities overseas.
He has been a member of Stanford University’s Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series, was selected as the Millennial Thinker for Singapore, "Thought Leader of the Year" in Hong Kong, is a top-rated international faculty member for the Young Presidents’ Organization, and is a frequently sought after resource for the world’s top media including CNN, CNBC, Business News Network, NBC Nightly News, Public Broadcast Service (PBS), the Today Show and the Oprah Winfrey Show. You will also find Dr. Stoltz quoted in Wall Street Journal, Harvard Management Update, Investor's Business Daily, Asia 21, Inc., Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Singapore Straits Times, Success Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Drucker Foundation’s prestigious Leader to Leader and other publications.
Dr. Stoltz received his bachelor's degree in Organizational Communication and Economics from the University of California, as well as his business and social sciences interdisciplinary master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
PEAK Learning’s international headquarters is situated in the coastal mountains of San Luis Obispo, California, where Dr. Stoltz resides with his family, who were honored by USA Today as "America's Most Creative Family."
The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles Into Everyday Greatness