If you ask most people this question, they'll likely say "robust" or "resilient." But philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb would say that's not the right answer.

He argues that if fragile items break when exposed to stress, something that's the opposite of fragile wouldn't simply not break (thus staying the same) when put under pressure; rather, it should actually get stronger.

We don't really have a word to describe such a person or organization, so Taleb created one: antifragile.

In his book, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, Taleb convincingly argues that this powerful quality is essential for businesses, governments, and even individuals that wish to thrive in an increasingly complex and volatile world.