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The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption #1
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption: Volume I - Reframing and Navigating Disruption
A "must-read"; a "first-of-its-kind comprehensive guidebook to navigate a disruptive world, empower individuals and organizations to take agency over their future destinations"; "never before has the world needed such tools... to inform not only how to survive, but thrive."
"The book will help readers become 'Response-able'... getting out of the victim mindset and offering more agency over how to prepare for and respond to disruption."
"Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin take us on a ride to find out how we can confront change, by deconstructing disruption to make the process not only easy but exciting and hopeful."
"This book should be required reading... It is truly one for the ages."
This is some of the praise that "Reframing and Navigating Disruption," the first standalone Volume of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption, has received from thought leaders.
More than a book, this work is a field guide for businesses and individuals alike to navigate change; a compass; a system of content, resources, and ideas on how to stay relevant and capture opportunities in our rapidly changing world.
The book lays the foundations to make sense of our increasingly complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world, where disruption is no longer merely a single or recurring event, but a steady state, expanding its impact.
To flourish, we must understand the velocity, trajectory, and magnitude of the drivers of change, whether technological or otherwise. After examining the constants and drivers of disruption, we learn to rewire our mindset by casting assumptions aside and anticipate inflection points by thinking like a futurist. The book also explores the implications and opportunities arising from today's paradigm shifts, emerging technologies, AI, the "internet of existence," the energy transition, and climate.
Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin draw on decades of insights from advising entrepreneurs, CEOs, boards, and shareholders in Silicon Valley and globally on evaluating their companies, competitiveness, strategic investments, and disruptions ahead. A foresight strategist, venture capitalist, and writer, Roger's expertise lies at the intersection of futures studies, systems thinking, and sustainable value creation. Lidia is a journalist, science fiction writer, and professional futurist.
"The book will help readers become 'Response-able'... getting out of the victim mindset and offering more agency over how to prepare for and respond to disruption."
"Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin take us on a ride to find out how we can confront change, by deconstructing disruption to make the process not only easy but exciting and hopeful."
"This book should be required reading... It is truly one for the ages."
This is some of the praise that "Reframing and Navigating Disruption," the first standalone Volume of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption, has received from thought leaders.
More than a book, this work is a field guide for businesses and individuals alike to navigate change; a compass; a system of content, resources, and ideas on how to stay relevant and capture opportunities in our rapidly changing world.
The book lays the foundations to make sense of our increasingly complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world, where disruption is no longer merely a single or recurring event, but a steady state, expanding its impact.
To flourish, we must understand the velocity, trajectory, and magnitude of the drivers of change, whether technological or otherwise. After examining the constants and drivers of disruption, we learn to rewire our mindset by casting assumptions aside and anticipate inflection points by thinking like a futurist. The book also explores the implications and opportunities arising from today's paradigm shifts, emerging technologies, AI, the "internet of existence," the energy transition, and climate.
Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin draw on decades of insights from advising entrepreneurs, CEOs, boards, and shareholders in Silicon Valley and globally on evaluating their companies, competitiveness, strategic investments, and disruptions ahead. A foresight strategist, venture capitalist, and writer, Roger's expertise lies at the intersection of futures studies, systems thinking, and sustainable value creation. Lidia is a journalist, science fiction writer, and professional futurist.
596 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2022
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Roger Spitz
5 books11 followersRoger Spitz (B.Sc. Econ, M.Sc., FCA, APF) is an award-winning author and world authority on strategic foresight, the future of leadership, and systemic disruption. Ranked Top 10 for Management Leadership (Thinkers360), he is an acclaimed futurist speaker who has delivered hundreds of keynotes globally and guest lectured at many of the world’s most prestigious institutions.
As President of Techistential, the preeminent foresight practice, and Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute in San Francisco, Spitz advises CEOs, boards, and investors on navigating uncertainty, anticipating disruptions, and creating sustainable value. He is an advisor to the World Economic Forum's Global Foresight Network, and serves on multiple boards focused on anticipatory leadership, sustainable futures, artificial intelligence and venture capital.
Author of five bestsellers, including the acclaimed 'Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption' and award-winning 'Disrupt With Impact: Achieve Business Success in an Unpredictable World' (Winner 2024 Harvey Chute Best Business Book Award). Spitz's frameworks are adopted by organizations worldwide and lauded by Global Peter Drucker Forum, MIT Technology Review and World Economic Forum.
A leading expert in AI, Spitz coined the term “Techistentialism,” founded the Techistential Center for Human & Artificial Intelligence, and serves on the AI Council of the Indian Society for Artificial Intelligence. He delivers keynotes and writes extensively on the intelligence shift: the future of AI and strategic decision-making.
Renowned for his pioneering work in climate foresight and bestselling books on sustainability, Spitz is a Climatebase Fellow and a board member of LuxCS (Brazil’s first carbon credit certifier). Through the DFI Nature & Climate Academy, he equips leaders to accelerate the energy transition via transformative change.
A strong advocate for startups, he is venture partner at Vektor Partners and advisor of Berkeley SkyDeck’s fund. Spitz previously led Global Technology M&A at BNP Paribas, advising on over 50 transactions valued at $25 billion. He also spearheaded the launch of the bank’s U.S. M&A investment banking practice in San Francisco, established its European Technology & Digital Corporate Finance platform, and led the Aerospace & Defense Advisory team.
Bilingual English & French, Spitz has lived in 10 cities across three continents.
As President of Techistential, the preeminent foresight practice, and Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute in San Francisco, Spitz advises CEOs, boards, and investors on navigating uncertainty, anticipating disruptions, and creating sustainable value. He is an advisor to the World Economic Forum's Global Foresight Network, and serves on multiple boards focused on anticipatory leadership, sustainable futures, artificial intelligence and venture capital.
Author of five bestsellers, including the acclaimed 'Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption' and award-winning 'Disrupt With Impact: Achieve Business Success in an Unpredictable World' (Winner 2024 Harvey Chute Best Business Book Award). Spitz's frameworks are adopted by organizations worldwide and lauded by Global Peter Drucker Forum, MIT Technology Review and World Economic Forum.
A leading expert in AI, Spitz coined the term “Techistentialism,” founded the Techistential Center for Human & Artificial Intelligence, and serves on the AI Council of the Indian Society for Artificial Intelligence. He delivers keynotes and writes extensively on the intelligence shift: the future of AI and strategic decision-making.
Renowned for his pioneering work in climate foresight and bestselling books on sustainability, Spitz is a Climatebase Fellow and a board member of LuxCS (Brazil’s first carbon credit certifier). Through the DFI Nature & Climate Academy, he equips leaders to accelerate the energy transition via transformative change.
A strong advocate for startups, he is venture partner at Vektor Partners and advisor of Berkeley SkyDeck’s fund. Spitz previously led Global Technology M&A at BNP Paribas, advising on over 50 transactions valued at $25 billion. He also spearheaded the launch of the bank’s U.S. M&A investment banking practice in San Francisco, established its European Technology & Digital Corporate Finance platform, and led the Aerospace & Defense Advisory team.
Bilingual English & French, Spitz has lived in 10 cities across three continents.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 28, 2023
If you want to understand both the principles and in-depth information about disruption, AI, futures studies, sustainability, information, technology, current philosophy, the environment, and more - you should read the four volumes of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption.
Volume I - Reframing and Navigating Disruption will meticulously teach us how to minimize the impact of disruption by looking at the constants, or what isn't changing.
The authors provide case studies in every chapter to illustrate the ramifications, yet it is simple to apply their tools and method learned to your daily life. You will gain a thorough understanding both on disruption and constants. In the end, readers will understand how change works and how trends have limits. Your relationship with uncertainty will transform as a result of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption.
Volume I - Reframing and Navigating Disruption will meticulously teach us how to minimize the impact of disruption by looking at the constants, or what isn't changing.
The authors provide case studies in every chapter to illustrate the ramifications, yet it is simple to apply their tools and method learned to your daily life. You will gain a thorough understanding both on disruption and constants. In the end, readers will understand how change works and how trends have limits. Your relationship with uncertainty will transform as a result of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption.
April 27, 2023
If you're looking for a book to cover both the basics and in-depth details on disruption, futures studies, information, AI, tech, the environment, even time itself - this book is it. It's written very accessibly; you don't need to wear a technical hat to understand what's going on here, and there's no useless fluff around the messages. The authors spell out implications with case studies / examples in essentially every chapter - but it's easy then to take their tools and apply the lessons learned to your own ideas.
Ready for a paradigm shift? Here you go - you found it.
Ready for a paradigm shift? Here you go - you found it.
September 23, 2023
Given the complexity, unpredictability, and interconnectedness of our world today, we could all use an instruction manual for survival, let alone navigation and thriving. I can think of no better and practical guides to life, work, money and education today than The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption. This is an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations looking to navigate uncertainty and thrive amidst disruption. The authors have expertly synthesized years of foresight strategy and futures intelligence research to provide practical guidance on how to capitalize on systemic disruption.
As a reader, I found the book's focus on sustainability and especially sustainable value creation particularly compelling. The Disruptive Futures Institute team's diverse perspectives and global reach make this collection a must-read for anyone seeking to make sense and learn how to respond to our changing, complex and uncertain world.
As a reader, I found the book's focus on sustainability and especially sustainable value creation particularly compelling. The Disruptive Futures Institute team's diverse perspectives and global reach make this collection a must-read for anyone seeking to make sense and learn how to respond to our changing, complex and uncertain world.
October 28, 2023
A Must Read for Anyone Interested in Navigating an Ever-Changing World
Reframing and Navigating Disruption is essential reading for anyone looking to stay ahead of the disruptive curve. Through its detailed examination of the constants and drivers of disruption, readers will gain invaluable insights into emerging changes from technologies to global cyber threats and how to mitigate existential and climate risks. Authored by celebrated futurist Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin, it is a thought-provoking guide that delves into the drivers of disruption, how to anticipate inflection points and stay ahead of the curve by thinking in multiple time horizons. This guide provides a comprehensive look into how emerging technologies, AI, cybersecurity and other threats combine systemically. The book then equips readers with the necessary tools to mitigate risks and build resilience. This is a must-read for anyone interested in thriving on disruption.
Reframing and Navigating Disruption is essential reading for anyone looking to stay ahead of the disruptive curve. Through its detailed examination of the constants and drivers of disruption, readers will gain invaluable insights into emerging changes from technologies to global cyber threats and how to mitigate existential and climate risks. Authored by celebrated futurist Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin, it is a thought-provoking guide that delves into the drivers of disruption, how to anticipate inflection points and stay ahead of the curve by thinking in multiple time horizons. This guide provides a comprehensive look into how emerging technologies, AI, cybersecurity and other threats combine systemically. The book then equips readers with the necessary tools to mitigate risks and build resilience. This is a must-read for anyone interested in thriving on disruption.
April 27, 2023
The "Definitive" Guide is a Fair Qualifier!
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption deconstructs and reframes uncertainty and disruption while providing practical frameworks to ensure effective decision-making. Its title claim as “Definitive” is fair, the work is very broad, with many illustrations, tables, key highlights and visuals which make it easy to navigate.
The team behind The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption understands the limitations of many of the typical books focusing only on one narrow feature of disruption. Here, the book really dives into how we can make sense of our complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world. They introduce the idea of “systemic disruption” to show how everything is connected, and also reveal how disruption also brings opportunities for new value creation and novel solutions to our world’s greatest challenges. They focus equally on what are the constants which do not change.
There is inevitably a focus on technology and artifical intelligence, but this is not to the exclusion of the many other drivers of disruption. They broaden the debate to decision-making to understand to what extent are we more than influenced by technology and how does this curtail human agency? They study the question of irreversibility, inflection points, and technology foresight to try to anticipate unintended consequences of ever evolving technological advancements.
Whether you are an individual, entrepreneur, multinational company, or policymaker, there is no escape from the multilayered impacts of today’s systemic disruption and pervasive uncertainty. The environment, democracy, human lives, value, and values are created or destroyed based on decisions. When poor or limiting assumptions drive decisions in our unpredictable and complex reality, the consequences compound.
You can tell that given the authors background, these tools have been tried and tested over the course of decades across an array of practical applications. The interdisciplinary approach in the book is very well executed; they connect the dots between seemingly unrelated areas. This Guidebook is a practical body of work that empowers you to become and stay relevant by understanding the true nature of our complex world, the underlying drivers of disruption while acknowledging the agency we have to reframe our relationship with disruption and uncertainty.
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption deconstructs and reframes uncertainty and disruption while providing practical frameworks to ensure effective decision-making. Its title claim as “Definitive” is fair, the work is very broad, with many illustrations, tables, key highlights and visuals which make it easy to navigate.
The team behind The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption understands the limitations of many of the typical books focusing only on one narrow feature of disruption. Here, the book really dives into how we can make sense of our complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world. They introduce the idea of “systemic disruption” to show how everything is connected, and also reveal how disruption also brings opportunities for new value creation and novel solutions to our world’s greatest challenges. They focus equally on what are the constants which do not change.
There is inevitably a focus on technology and artifical intelligence, but this is not to the exclusion of the many other drivers of disruption. They broaden the debate to decision-making to understand to what extent are we more than influenced by technology and how does this curtail human agency? They study the question of irreversibility, inflection points, and technology foresight to try to anticipate unintended consequences of ever evolving technological advancements.
Whether you are an individual, entrepreneur, multinational company, or policymaker, there is no escape from the multilayered impacts of today’s systemic disruption and pervasive uncertainty. The environment, democracy, human lives, value, and values are created or destroyed based on decisions. When poor or limiting assumptions drive decisions in our unpredictable and complex reality, the consequences compound.
You can tell that given the authors background, these tools have been tried and tested over the course of decades across an array of practical applications. The interdisciplinary approach in the book is very well executed; they connect the dots between seemingly unrelated areas. This Guidebook is a practical body of work that empowers you to become and stay relevant by understanding the true nature of our complex world, the underlying drivers of disruption while acknowledging the agency we have to reframe our relationship with disruption and uncertainty.
September 6, 2025
I’ll be blunt: I usually find “business + disruption” books either buzzwordy or so theoretical they’re impossible to use. So I didn’t expect to plow through all four volumes of Roger Spitz’s Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption. But I did — and I’m keeping them on my desk, because they actually gave me a new way to think (and act) in all the craziness we’re living through.
Volume I - FOUNDATIONS gave me language for something I’d been feeling but couldn’t describe - that the world doesn’t work linearly anymore. It’s messy, systemic, unpredictable, and yet there is a way to navigate. By the time I finished this first book, I felt less like I was drowning in change and more like I could at least swim with it.
With Volume II - FRAMEWORKS, I actually stopped several times to scribble notes for my team. These aren’t rigid “models” but flexible patterns. A couple of the reframing tools even clicked immediately for a project we were stuck on. I could see why Spitz talks about adaptability as an actual skill.
Volume III - YOUR LIFE is the one that surprised me. Most of these books stay in the business lane, but here it gets personal: how do you live in beta, treating life itself as something evolving instead of fixed? That idea rattled me, then made me oddly optimistic.
Finally, Volume IV - YOUR BUSINESS swings back toward organizational impact. What I liked is he doesn’t couch it as “defending against disruption” (which sounds exhausting) but using it as a springboard to create meaningful new value. Honestly, if I ran a company, this would be required reading for my exec team.
Together, all four books are like a set of lenses. Each one sharpens a different layer - worldview, practical frameworks, personal choices, and business strategy. You don’t have to read them all, but the collection adds up to something bigger.
What stuck with me most? It’s less about fearing disruption and more about treating it as air we breathe. And when you start looking at it that way - strangely enough - it feels freeing.
Volume I - FOUNDATIONS gave me language for something I’d been feeling but couldn’t describe - that the world doesn’t work linearly anymore. It’s messy, systemic, unpredictable, and yet there is a way to navigate. By the time I finished this first book, I felt less like I was drowning in change and more like I could at least swim with it.
With Volume II - FRAMEWORKS, I actually stopped several times to scribble notes for my team. These aren’t rigid “models” but flexible patterns. A couple of the reframing tools even clicked immediately for a project we were stuck on. I could see why Spitz talks about adaptability as an actual skill.
Volume III - YOUR LIFE is the one that surprised me. Most of these books stay in the business lane, but here it gets personal: how do you live in beta, treating life itself as something evolving instead of fixed? That idea rattled me, then made me oddly optimistic.
Finally, Volume IV - YOUR BUSINESS swings back toward organizational impact. What I liked is he doesn’t couch it as “defending against disruption” (which sounds exhausting) but using it as a springboard to create meaningful new value. Honestly, if I ran a company, this would be required reading for my exec team.
Together, all four books are like a set of lenses. Each one sharpens a different layer - worldview, practical frameworks, personal choices, and business strategy. You don’t have to read them all, but the collection adds up to something bigger.
What stuck with me most? It’s less about fearing disruption and more about treating it as air we breathe. And when you start looking at it that way - strangely enough - it feels freeing.
March 31, 2023
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption: Volume I - Foundations is an essential guidebook for navigating the ever-changing landscape of disruptive technologies and trends. The book draws on decades of strategic insights and expertise advising innovative organizations worldwide. The guidebook provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and approaches needed to thrive in this environment, including the importance of constant innovation, thinking in different time horizons, and anticipating inflection points. The book also explores the drivers and constants of disruption, the potential risks and challenges that come with them, and how to prepare for, leverage, and drive the systemic disruptions ahead. The guidebook is an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations looking to thrive in a complex and unpredictable world.
August 27, 2023
The Ultimate Handbook for Thriving on Disruption in this Unpredictable World
Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin's book is a must-read for anyone looking for a guide on how to navigate the changing times we are living in. In this first stand-alone volume of their four-part series, they take readers on a journey that starts with the premise that change is inevitable and then goes on to explore how we can anticipate and even drive the changes that lie ahead. The authors deconstruct disruption by taking apart its components and showing how they fit together in a way that makes sense of our complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world. This is an extremely valuable book, easy and clear read to really make sense of the underlying drivers of change.
Roger Spitz and Lidia Zuin's book is a must-read for anyone looking for a guide on how to navigate the changing times we are living in. In this first stand-alone volume of their four-part series, they take readers on a journey that starts with the premise that change is inevitable and then goes on to explore how we can anticipate and even drive the changes that lie ahead. The authors deconstruct disruption by taking apart its components and showing how they fit together in a way that makes sense of our complex, nonlinear, and unpredictable world. This is an extremely valuable book, easy and clear read to really make sense of the underlying drivers of change.
July 8, 2024
Thriving on Disruption Volume I provides businesses and decision makers with just the right guidance that they need to successfully navigate changing landscapes: what to look for, how to look at, and how to most sensibly react. Because each chapter has similar structures and features, the content is easy to understand and use.
One framework that I find particularly useful is Artificial Canaries framework. The book lays out how this can be used to identify, map, and anticipate technological progress in advance of an inflection point, something that is key to managing risks and upsides well.
One framework that I find particularly useful is Artificial Canaries framework. The book lays out how this can be used to identify, map, and anticipate technological progress in advance of an inflection point, something that is key to managing risks and upsides well.
September 22, 2023
Insightful & Worth A Read!
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how disruption works and how to thrive in the midst of it. This volume is full of insights and advice that will help you navigate a world where nothing is predictable, and everything changes—and fast. This handbook provides an extensive and useful collection of materials and tools that may be utilized by anybody interested in capitalizing on the opportunities presented by disruption. These resources are equally relevant for organizations, startups, and policymakers.
The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how disruption works and how to thrive in the midst of it. This volume is full of insights and advice that will help you navigate a world where nothing is predictable, and everything changes—and fast. This handbook provides an extensive and useful collection of materials and tools that may be utilized by anybody interested in capitalizing on the opportunities presented by disruption. These resources are equally relevant for organizations, startups, and policymakers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews