An example of selective destruction in a CAS is how forest fires have been found to be a crucial factor in regenerating healthy forests. The key takeaway for companies is that destruction is part of evolution. In practical terms, it means getting rid of anything that has become obsolete and is no longer delivering value. In the prism of a fast-changing environment, obsolescence is defined by relevance and not age. Examples include obsolete IT solutions, non performing business units, and at more granular level, a practice or a process followed by a team, which is no longer adding value.

A key point to remember is that intervening to prevent something that needs destruction can prove disastrous. The major fire in Yellowstone Park in the USA, in 1992, is a good example of this. As stated earlier, forest fires are considered healthy for the regeneration of forests. However, forest fires were prevented from happening for decades in Yellowstone Park, through human intervention. Gradually, the forest floor accumulated a very thick layer of debris. Eventually, a lightning strike caused a fire that could not be contained. Decades of accumulated debris burned hotter and longer than normal. This incinerated large trees and destroyed living components of the soil, which would have otherwise survived a normal fire. The fire wiped out 25% of the park.

Enterprises must build a culture where people can challenge anything that may not be adding value now. It is fairly common to see people doing things because "we have always done it that way." Going further, teams also need to be empowered to stop or modify what no longer adds value, be it a process, practice, role, communication pattern, and so on.

Selective destruction also needs to be viewed from the point of view of "destroying" something where a better alternative has emerged, for example, the possibility of hosting IT infrastructure in the "cloud" can lead to getting rid of a physical IT infrastructure, as the former may be both more effective and efficient. Selective destruction, when appropriate, will not only enable a business to remain lean, but it is also a huge enabler for a company to keep evolving in line with the changes in the environment.