Lead with the robustness of nature

Is the world becoming more uncertain? Learn from the resilience of the living world. Robustness—rooted in nature—is the key to navigating uncertainty without taking (too many) hits. Less total control, more flexibility. Less blind optimization, more diversity. Less prediction, more preparation. The goal is no longer to control everything, but to be ready for anything.
Seven nature-inspired actions to navigate uncertainty more effectively.

Based on

L’Entreprise robuste
by Olivier Charbonnier, Olivier Hamant et Sandra Enlart.
Odile Jacob 2025.

1/ Build in redundancy: Don’t stake everything on optimization

Why? In nature, redundancy is a fundamental principle. Ecosystems thrive because multiple species can fulfill the same function. An over-optimized company becomes fragile when there’s a crisis.

Action: Identify the critical points in your business (suppliers, skills or distribution channels), and diversify your resources. Opt for multiple resilient suppliers rather than relying on a risky monopoly.

Published by Françoise Tollet

She spent 12 years in industry, working for Bolloré Technologies, among others. She co-founded Business Digest in 1992 and has been running the company since 1998. And she took the Internet plunge in 1996, even before coming on board as part of the BD team. 

Lead with the robustness of nature

1/ Build in redundancy: Don’t stake everything on optimization

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