Autotomy
When a lizard drops its tail to escape a predator, it's not losing—it's strategically sacrificing a part to save the whole. GE did the same thing in 2024.
Lego sold Legoland theme parks ($460M, losing $100M+/year) to focus resources on core brick business. The division was hemorrhaging cash; cutting it free allowed the core to survive and regenerate.
Sacrificing part to save whole. Lizards drop their tails when attacked by predators. The tail continues twitching (distracting predator) while lizard escapes. Tail regrows over weeks to months. Voluntary amputation of non-essential tissue to preserve vital systems.
Business Application of Autotomy
Divesting failing divisions to save core business. Organizations can deliberately sacrifice non-essential units (hemorrhaging cash, distracting management) to preserve resources for core operations.