That is the unofficial motto of every successful entrepreneur. In business, “the unexpected” isn’t a glitch in the system—it is the system.
Whether it’s a sudden shift in the economy, a competitor launching a surprise feature, or a global supply chain hiccup, your ability to pivot defines your longevity. Here is how to move from just “expecting” chaos to actually building a business that thrives on it.
1. Build “Anti-Fragile” Systems
Author Nassim Taleb coined the term Antifragile to describe things that don’t just withstand shocks, but actually get better because of them.
-
Diversify Revenue: Never rely on one “whale” client. If one customer makes up more than 20% of your revenue, you aren’t an owner; you’re an employee who can be fired at any moment.
-
Multi-Channel Presence: If your entire customer base is on Instagram and the algorithm changes tomorrow, your business “breaks.” Build an email list—it’s the only audience you truly own.
2. The “Pre-Mortem” Strategy
Instead of waiting for things to go wrong, conduct a Pre-Mortem.
-
The Exercise: Imagine it is one year from today and your business has completely failed.
-
The Question: “What happened?”
-
The Result: By visualizing the failure (tech crash, bad hire, legal issue), you can build safeguards now to prevent those specific “unexpected” events.
3. Financial Optionality (The “Peace of Mind” Fund)
Cash is the ultimate shock absorber. In 2026, the cost of borrowing can fluctuate wildly.
-
The 6-Month Rule: Aim for at least six months of operating expenses in highly liquid accounts.
-
The “Pivot Fund”: Keep a small percentage of profit set aside specifically for “unplanned opportunities”—like a competitor going out of business or a sudden new software that could double your efficiency.
4. Cultivate “Decision Velocity”
When the unexpected hits, the biggest killer isn’t the problem itself—it’s indecision.
-
Agile Culture: If you have a team, empower them to make small decisions without a board meeting.
-
The 70% Rule: If you have 70% of the information you need, make the call. Waiting for 100% certainty is just a fancy way of being too late.
Mindset Shift: The “OODA” Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
Developed by military strategist John Boyd, this is how you handle rapidly changing environments:
| Step | Action | Business Application |
| Observe | Gather raw data. | “Sales dropped 15% this week.” |
| Orient | Filter the data. | “Is it the economy, or is our website broken?” |
| Decide | Form a hypothesis. | “It’s the checkout page; let’s fix the UI.” |
| Act | Test the decision. | “Patch the site and monitor for 24 hours.” |
Reframing the Chaos: Every “unexpected” disaster is also an unexpected opportunity. When the market shakes, the businesses built on sand fall over, leaving more room for those built on rock.