Bracing for the bumps

In a world that has been anything but stable, it’s time for businesses to operate in a state of constant readiness.

After all, disruption has been the norm since the 2008 financial collapse, and the tests that businesses face today are like never before. From economic uncertainty to geopolitical tensions, climate shocks to rapid technological transformations – each thread of disruption is unique, but preparedness must be the constant.

When organisations master the when and how of their preparedness, they master the difference between reacting, and navigating uncertainty with control.

So how do they build in these shock absorbers?

It begins with the board

Think of board structure as a set of building blocks. Governance is the foundation, but it must be layered with strategic planning, operational agility and cultural adaptability. This keeps them ‘scenario-ready’ and holds steady under pressure, supporting resilience and long-term success.

Percentage of 3,500 global business executives selecting these measures as ways they plan to retain or increase their resilience to risk in our 2025/6 Risk & Resilience survey undertaken between 06-17 January 2025.

How to build a board that can pivot fast

Boards must constantly horizon scan. This is where board composition matters. The era of homogenous leadership teams – drawn from similar backgrounds and industries – must be behind us. Today’s boards need a diverse mix of expertise: geopolitical analysts, technology specialists, supply chain strategists and leaders from adjacent industries. This diversity of thought helps identify blind spots and niche operational risks, so that businesses can respond with clarity and speed.

When the board steers, committees navigate

The right committees provide the strongest backbone – change committees, tech committees, disclosure committees. When this basic infrastructure is in place and functioning well, resilience becomes a built-in feature of how the organisation operates, not something it scrambles to find when geopolitical tensions arise and pressure mounts.

Strong boards don’t wait for the storm to strike

They use quieter periods to refine governance, review risks and strengthen protocols. That preparation, done early and often, is what allows them to stay composed when disruption inevitably arrives and those quiet times become rare.

Boards don’t need a crystal ball – just good protocol

Of course, many circumstances are unpredictable, but without a crisis plan, even basic responses become chaotic. These should have clear triggers, define severity levels, immediate steps and approved messaging – taking guesswork out of the equation as much as possible. Without this, response is slow while risk grows. You can’t foresee everything, but you can be ready.

Seek out truths in turbulent times

In uncertain times, leadership flies blind when staff stay silent, and that lack of clarity chips away at the whole business. Autocratic leadership is the danger here – it shuts down open dialogue, breeds fear and blocks the flow of vital information. But when leaders create space for honest input, they unlock a treasure trove of ideas, opportunities and solutions from within.

Insurance that empowers beyond the safety net

Insurance, done right, can be a partner in foresight – helping organisations manage risk not just to protect profits, but to safeguard people, communities and reputations. Insurers should use risk management strategies to help avoid surprises from the off. When surprises do unfold, specialist services can help them to recover fast. And tailored liability services can protect leadership while also empowering bold decisions amidst an unsteady economy.

The bottom line

In volatile times, resilience isn’t a quick fix. It’s built through foresight, governance and culture. And it starts with leadership teams using resources tactically to future-proof their organisations for the road ahead. This means anticipating threats, recovering quickly, and building the capacity to absorb shocks and sustain performance. This is how they become the strategic engine that drives their business to success.