Page 123 - The Resilient Organization

110 Part Three: Step 2. Building Resilience into the Organization

However, the ultimate in adaptive fitness is to be in better shape than is
required for the race at hand. Such resilience build-up is particularly neces-
sary as change rarely comes from the exact direction we expect it from, and
it rarely delivers the results hoped for in the time scale aspired to. It may,
however, surprise us with its force much later. The Chapter 9 case study
explains how to build such reservoirs for change while the company is still
highly successful. Anticipating certain challenges and preparing for them is
one thing; the more challenging aspect of resilience is to be ready for emer-
gent challenges coming our way. Having resilience in change, no matter
what content, duration, or direction that change may take, is about build-
ing resilience even beyond those changes that have been correctly anticipated.
Being resilient means making turns even when the road forward still
looks passable. It is like going to the gym: you do it (partly for fun but in
particular) to stay fit and build the “change muscles” should they be needed.