Why Things Bounce Back by Zolli and Healy explains how to survive and thrive in the dynamic environment that characterizes life in today's world. The authors blaze new trails for leaders in academe, business, science, government, and the social sciences.
The approaches in this book also explain how to manage phenomena in systems that are in equilibrium or disequilibrium. The authors show how one system can break down unexpectedly while another moves forward. Volatility has become the new norm in places like the stock market, intermarkets, and foreign bourses.
The authors explain the need to make derivative transactions more transparent. A central counterparty clearinghouse is mentioned as a way to guarantee that each party pays out on a contract by setting aside sufficient settlement capital.
According to the authors, systems should be designed modularly in order to anticipate high volatility and change; that is modular systems and processes function more optimally than static systems under changed circumstances assumptions or conditions.
A modular structure implies simplicity and interoperability. Examples of such systems include cloud computing, as well as expert systems in artificial intelligence. Systems may run very slowly or unpredictably at important plateaus, threshold points, or points on the verge of a breakdown.
In human relations, managers must stay optimistic and confident in order to protect against stressors in an operational environment. Individuals find a similar problem with handling practical life issues.
The authors point toward the need for individuals to articulate a purpose in life. Next, each person needs to probe to determine how to influence the surroundings positively. Both positive and negative experiences are factors in shaping personal and even institutional growth and maturity.
Why Things Bounce Back by Zolli and Healy explains the dynamics of structuring systems and anticipating change in an unpredictable world. The presentation is easy to understand and the examples provided by the authors are topical and practical.
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