From Setbacks to Strength: The Antifragile Leader’s Playbook

The Forward Thinking Podcast, Powered by FCCS

Engaging in deliberate practice, continuous learning, and fostering open communication are critical for building antifragile leadership. Antifragility challenges the way leaders think about resilience, adaptability, and growth. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Nicole Brusewitz, VP of Leadership Development, Learning and Consulting Services at FCCS. Together they discuss a superior approach to resilience – one that doesn’t just withstand uncertainty but thrives in it.

Episode Insights Include:

The power behind antifragility

• Antifragility is not just about bouncing back in the face of uncertainty or change.

• Antifragility harnesses disruption to grow stronger.

• Controlled strength is required to self-rescue in difficult times

• Building strong systems, skills and mindsets is essential to strength when things go wrong.

Thriving in uncertainty

• In the last five years, the focus has been on bouncing back. It’s time to advance.

• Don’t just react to change. Benefit from it.

• Muscle growth comes from tiny tears and repairs. This applies to business strength as well.

Adapting antifragility in the workplace

• Cultivate a company culture of antifragility by intentionally deciding to thrive in uncertainty.

• Be strategic – the more change that is introduced into the workplace, the more employees will begin to resist the change.

• Practice antifragility before it is needed.

Practice antifragility

• Identify pain points and bottlenecks in the workplace, then engage frontline employees in implementing programs for improvement.

• Expand decision-making authority as solutions are put into place.

• Proactively implement strategies before frontline actions are needed.

• Build on success in manageable increments that don’t create additional stress.

• Don’t create change simply for the sake of change.

Introducing small-scale stressors

• Amazon’s approach to innovation explored antifragility in controlled ways.

• Consider the introduction of Amazon’s Fire phone and Amazon Prime memberships.

• Controlled chaos is essential in achieving effective antifragility.

• Chaos should never be a total surprise.

Overcoming common leadership struggles

• Leaders often think that instability is inherently bad – recognize that it encourages growth.

• Embracing change and uncertainty recognizes that it is unavoidable.

• Bulldozer parents try to remove every obstacle in their child’s path – antifragility leaders avoid this approach.

• Work alongside and encourage team members while allowing them the growth that comes with their struggle.

Antifragility and technology disruptions

• Technology advancements can both encourage antifragility by introducing disruptions and also making businesses more adaptive.

• AI can be used to enhance flexibility and antifragility.

• AI is a tool for efficiency and adaptability.

Habits for introducing antifragility

• Find ways to deliver deliberate discomfort.

• Encourage feedback from your team that is outside your comfort zone.

• Regularly and deliberately invite discomfort into your routines.

• Don’t just prepare for disruption, train yourself and your business to benefit from it.

This podcast is powered by FCCS.

Resources

Connect with Nicole Brusewitz — Nicole Brusewitz

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“Building strong systems, skills and mindsets is essential to strength when things go wrong.” — Nicole Brusewitz

“Antifragility is not just about bouncing back. It’s about advancing forward.” — Nicole Brusewitz

“Don’t just react to change. Benefit from it.” — Nicole Brusewitz

“Chaos should never be a total surprise.” — Nicole Brusewitz

“Don’t just prepare for disruption, train yourself and your business to benefit from it.” — Nicole Brusewitz