resilience Archives - Philippe Silberzahn

22 April 202410 June 2024Management, strategy, uncertainty

Defending the inner flame in the face of uncertainty: Who will be the Vestals of your organization?

In a world riddled with uncertainty, organizations often falter despite possessing a strong, historical identity—an inner flame that should anchor them. However, this potent force remains underutilized because it’s felt but seldom articulated or embraced. Actively nurturing this core identity is not just beneficial; it’s a strategic imperative.

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8 April 20243 March 2026decision making, Management, uncertainty

The danger of naive optimization in uncertainty

Optimization—doing more with less—has fueled the global economy’s staggering growth over the last two centuries. For instance, it’s why refrigerator prices have plunged 98% in constant euros over the last hundred years. Yet, often pursued naively without considering uncertainty, this drive for efficiency can also be a hidden source of vulnerability.

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4 March 202410 June 2024decision making, Management

The invisible spring or how to survive extreme situations

We possess the power to tap into extraordinary resources when faced with extreme situations, revealing our truest selves. But why wait for crisis to unleash this potential? Imagine the possibilities if we harnessed these capabilities every day.

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16 September 202317 September 2023strategy, uncertainty

Should Strategists Take Baths? The Byzantine Empire’s Lesson in Surviving Uncertainty

Why do some organizations survive and thrive while others falter? The question has long been asked, and the proposed answers are many, but one factor that seems to play a very strong role is the ability to maintain a creative connection with the changing reality of one’s environment. A historical example is the survival of the Byzantine Empire.

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