Fisher’s fundamental theorem, originally formulated in evolutionary biology, deals with the relationship between population survival and its genetic variation. In short, the theorem states that the rate at which a population can improve its survival is proportional to the amount of genetic variation within the population. In simlpe words this means that the more varied a system is, the better it can adapt to changes.
This insight goes far beyond biology and can be applied to many other areas of life – from business and innovation to personal health. A key theme of the theorem is that systems that are highly optimized for a specific environment or situation tend to become less flexible.
Optimal systems and the difficulty of change
The more optimized a system is for a specific situation, the more difficult it is for the system to change. In working life, we often see this phenomenon when companies, organizations or individuals become extremely efficient at doing a certain thing in a certain way. In the beginning, this optimization leads to big profits – we do things faster, cheaper and with higher quality. But in the long term, this streamlining can lead to stagnation. As the world changes, or as new challenges arise, these systems can struggle to adapt because they have become so specialized.
For example, a company that has optimized its production processes for a certain market for decades may find itself overwhelmed by a sudden technological change. Instead of being able to adapt quickly, they have built such a specific and well-oiled machine that every change means huge costs and changes.
The importance of random exploration
Fisher’s theorem reminds us that change is impossible without variation. In entrepreneurship and innovation, this means that it is important to allow the exploration and trial of new ideas, even if they sometimes seem random or “irrelevant” to the current system. Creativity and variation are the mechanisms by which systems can adapt to unforeseen changes.
Those who are heavily integrated into an optimized system can often find this creative thinking annoying or disruptive. Innovators, those who ask the “tough” questions, are sometimes seen as hindering rather than helpful. It is not uncommon for people who question the way things have always been done to be seen as troublemakers – because they threaten the stability the system has built. But it is precisely these “difficult” people who are the necessary driving forces for long-term change and adaptability.
Why we rarely question the regular way of doing things
Another important aspect of Fisher’s theorem is our natural resistance to questioning things that have existed for a long time. We tend to see things like enduring and successful systems as natural and self-evident. If something has worked for a long time, why would we need to change it? This reasoning can be dangerous, because even systems that work well today can collapse if the world around them changes. That’s why we need individuals and groups who constantly question and explore new possibilities, even when everything seems to be working well.
Sometimes random ideas and disruptive innovations are needed to break a system out of its stagnation. Take, for example, the rise of smartphones – when they first arrived, they were “inconvenient” innovations that threatened an entire market of mobile phones and related products. But it was precisely this disruption that allowed technology to move forward and adapt to new needs.
Fisher’s theorem at work and in health
Example at work
Imagine a company that has been streamlining its sales process for several years to increase margins. They have optimized their procedures and the staff are experts in using the current system. But suddenly the market changes – customers start shopping more second hand and demand more personal services. Here it becomes clear that the company’s highly optimized system, which was previously its greatest asset, is now its greatest obstacle. If the company has not allowed exploration of new ways of selling, or if they have resisted the “tough” questions of creative employees who wanted to try new ideas, the company can become stuck in its own structure.
Companies that embrace Fisher’s Theorem recognize the importance of creating space for exploration and creativity—even when it doesn’t seem directly connected to current needs. This can be through innovation sprints, labs for experimentation or by encouraging a culture of questioning.
Example in health
Even in health, we can see Fisher’s theorem at play. Consider a person who has optimized their diet and exercise to perform optimally in a specific sport. It works well for a long time, but as the body ages or injuries occur, this optimization can turn out to be a trap. The person has adapted so strongly to a certain form of exercise or diet that it becomes difficult to relieve oneself of reversible changes. This shows the importance of variety – to allow oneself to try different forms of exercise, not to become too fixated on a certain exercise, so that the body (and mind) can adapt to new conditions.
By embracing variety, both at work and in health, we can ensure that we remain flexible and adaptable even as the world around us changes.
Fisher’s theorem reminds us that no successful adaptation can occur without variation. The more optimized a system is for a specific situation, the harder it is for that system to change as the world changes. Therefore, it is crucial to embrace random exploration, creative ideas and sometimes the “tough” questions of those who dare to think differently. What seems disruptive in the short term may be the very thing that saves a system from stagnation in the long term.
