In a world where change is not just constant but accelerating, how do you build something that lasts and makes a meaningful contribution? As a founder, I ask myself this question almost daily. Enter Planned Opportunism, a concept introduced by Vijay Govindarajan at Harvard. He describes it as creating a “circulatory system” of ideas, systematically and strategically aligning your vision and values with agile responses to emerging challenges. This mindset has been essential in helping me navigate the unpredictable landscape of building a business in 2025.
At thriViae, we have adopted Planned Opportunism, the ability to stay anchored in purpose while remaining agile enough to seize unexpected opportunities and navigate the unexpected.
Why Planned Opportunism Matters
Starting thriViae has been both exhilarating and daunting. Like any early-stage business, we face the usual challenges, uncertainty, limited resources, and the constant drive to make an impact. But as the landscape shifts around us, from economic turbulence to AI-driven workforce disruption, it’s clear that sticking rigidly to a preconceived plan doesn’t work.
Instead, I’ve learned to lean into Planned Opportunism. It’s about staying rooted in your mission while being open to changing course when new information or opportunities arise. It’s not about being reactive; it’s about being responsively proactive.
Turning Disruption into Opportunity
Lately, it’s felt like every day brings a new wave of challenges. Whether it’s witnessing harrowing global geopolitics, ensuring we have the right people in the right roles, or the way AI is accelerating at a pace even experts didn’t anticipate, at times it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
As a founder, I admit, there are moments when holding our nerve feels tough. It’s human to second-guess when the stakes are high. But the feedback from our clients and community has been a constant reminder to stay the course. Hearing that our work is making a difference, that’s what keeps me moving forward.
What Planned Opportunism Looks Like at thriViae
- Staying Anchored in Purpose: While we continuously evolve, our mission stays clear, helping people thrive and businesses succeed as AI reshapes work.
- Experimenting with Low-Risk Prototypes: Instead of making sweeping changes, we listen to our clients’ highest priority needs, validate them, and then apply our insights through targeted pilot initiatives.
- Building Resilience into Our Culture: Bringing on Dr. Richard George as CTO was a pivotal decision, not just for his technical expertise but for his ability to think strategically and calmly when the path ahead is uncertain.
- Listening to the Market: The idea for our white paper, The Periodic Table of Workplace Thriving, didn’t come out of nowhere, it came from countless conversations with leaders grappling with workforce transformation.
What It Means to Me as a Founder
Planned Opportunism isn’t just a business strategy, it’s a mindset I’m still learning to master. There are times when it feels like everything is moving faster than we can keep up. But rather than feel overwhelmed, I’ve come to realise that being open to change, while holding tight to our mission, is what will keep us on track.
A Call to Fellow Founders
If you’re leading a start-up, it’s okay to admit that sometimes it’s tough to hold your nerve. But take comfort from your purpose and the feedback you get from those who believe in what you’re building. Learn from setbacks, pivot when needed, and keep your mission and values at the heart of every decision.
If you’d like to learn more about our work, including our latest Thought Leadership and research insights subscribe at thriViae.com
#PlannedOpportunism #StartUps #ThrivingThroughChange #thriViae
