Applying load and introducing stress is a way to unlock incredible potential for continuous improvement. You can accomplish this by using one idea at a time for going beyond resilience. (Image:istockphoto)

Antifragile: Building A Company that Goes Beyond Resilience

Slipping on a banana and breaking your hip is fragile.

Getting hit by a truck then getting up to walk to your hair appointment is resilient.

But, getting one of your arms cut off then growing a new one the next day is beyond resilient — it’s antifragile.

Sh*t happens in startups.

(Amen, right?)

I can relate.

I once signed a deal that nearly killed my company.

That experience helped me build the confidence to say no to deals like this in the future. It also led me to change the entire sales and delivery model we employed at the time. It pushed us to bring on implementation partners faster.

In other words, that potentially fatal event was just the shock we needed to adapt and improve.

After that experience, I’ve thought a lot about preparing a company for these types of random events.