A few weeks ago, while exploring a major museum in Paris, I found myself admiring centuries-old paintings and intricate sculptures. Many of them were surrounded by glass cases, each one carefully marked with a “FRAGILE” sign. Even the exhibit under construction had similar warnings—reminders that these artifacts required thoughtful handling to withstand the test of time.
Wouldn’t it be helpful if organizations came with the same label?
Many companies appear strong on the surface but are one crisis away from breaking. Fear-based decision-making, lack of transparency, and misaligned incentives create fragility that leadership often doesn’t recognize—until it is too late.
The strongest organizations are not the ones that avoid pressure. They are the ones that build trust, flexibility, and accountability into their foundation so they can withstand it.
How Legal Teams Can Strengthen Organizational Resilience
Legal teams play a crucial role in shaping a company’s long-term strength. The best legal departments do not just react to crises; they help build organizations that can anticipate, adapt, and withstand them. By embedding legal into decision-making, fostering open dialogue, and ensuring policies encourage—not stifle—growth, legal professionals can turn fragile companies into resilient ones.
Make Legal a Bridge, Not a Barrier
When legal operates in isolation, it slows progress and creates hesitation. Business teams fear legal will say no, so they avoid involving them early. But when legal is integrated from the beginning, it becomes a bridge—guiding decisions that are both innovative and sustainable. Legal should be a trusted partner in building a business that can thrive under pressure.
Encourage Uncomfortable Conversations
Fragile organizations avoid difficult discussions. Resilient ones invite and reward them. A strong legal team creates space for debate, ensuring that ethical considerations, risk assessments, and cultural issues are addressed before they escalate. When companies resist internal challenges, they create blind spots. Legal can help establish a culture where questioning decisions is not just tolerated but expected.
Audit Culture as Rigorously as Finances
Companies carefully track revenue, expenses, and compliance risks. But how often do they assess the health of their culture? If employees hesitate to speak up, if decisions are made out of fear, or if there is little accountability, these are signs of fragility. A resilient company does not just adapt to change—it anticipates it. Legal teams can help organizations build cultures that encourage transparency, agility, and ethical decision-making.
Questions Every Legal and Business Leader Should Consider
If your company had a “FRAGILE” label, where would it be placed?
What policies or habits make your team more resilient—or more brittle?
When was the last time someone challenged a decision—and was truly heard?
Not every company is a priceless artifact, but the best ones recognize their value and invest in long-term durability. The future belongs to organizations that build resilience into their foundation, and legal teams have a key role in making that happen.
