Risk Nuance

Risk Nuance

Make a plan for risk.

Risk is not a static phenomenon, but rather a tactical and strategically relative and dynamic force in our work, home, and other facets of life.  Life is easier when we understand these facts and how we interact with risk, especially at home.    This dynamic nature of risk changes based on our circumstances, the situation details, who we're with, what our background is, and the season of life we're in.  It's important to have an equally dynamic risk management process in our family.  

Size up your risk.

To illustrate, as I write this, we're under a polar vortex weather phenomenon bringing record cold across much of the country.  In an area a couple hours away, they'll likely see -70-degree windchills with this storm.  As a guy who has spent many years "chasing" weather or at least its disastrous aftermath, I (and some of my colleagues) were all interested in feeling what that feels like.  We can control the exposure (risk) in that environment with appropriate cold-weather clothing, well-maintained vehicles, and such.  The risk, for us in this scenario wouldn't be the cold nearly so much as the drive to get to the cold (through the -50-degree wind chills and ground blizzards).  

We can reduce
risk by good gear
and... 

When we look at that situation and the risk involved, strategically relevant risk comes to mind.  When we were younger (and correspondingly dumber...and less experienced) we probably would have traveled during the storm.  The actual, quantifiable risk was no different, a -70-degree windchill is dangerous if you're young or old.  What was different was us...the consequences of the risk were lessened based on what we had, who we were then, and what we had to lose.  For me, in particular, I wasn't married or had children, so now where a bad outcome seems highly costly, then...not so much (any correlation to why our first responder and military realms have been traditionally filled with risk-taking young men?).  Now, a slide off the road impacts more than just me, it seems bigger and more dangerous than it had just a few years before.  

...training/practice.

Similarly, the tactical risk is relative based on who is taking it.  When I was in the fire department and training "baby" firefighters to be competent on their first front-line assignments, we could see the progression from "civilian" to capable responder throughout the academy process.  Later, on the trucks "in real life" we could see the relative risk play out based on who was in the crew that day.  One fire with a veteran crew who had worked together before...we'd go into about anything.  On the flip side, a similar fire with a different or less experienced set of partners and we'd "size it up" to be too risky for "aggressive interior attack" tactics and squirt water "hit it hard from the yard" to "reset the fire" before making entry.  

Most every risky
thing can be done
safely.

In another example of risk nuance, during a wildland fire situation a few years ago, the overhead (leadership) on the fire had pitched a tactical assignment to one elite Hotshot crew who turned it down as "too risky."  They pitched it to another elite crew...too risky.  Then they pitched it to a lower-level crew who, less experienced, accepted it.  A few hours later, a young female crew member died because of that decision to accept a risk that was beyond their capability and background.  As we go through life, we need to recognize that there are times in our lives and families when we're not well equipped or experienced enough yet to undertake particular situations.  In these cases, it pays to pump the brakes and slow down the situation a bit until we can adjust the variables enough to be successful.  

When in doubt,
send in the dog 
first...especially up
a tree.

In many industries, including the military and first responders, we have equations to quantify risk objectively.  Often, we look at severity, probability, and perhaps other factors.  Sometimes we sum it up with a simple, "risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little."  We also explore mitigations by changing a few variables in an equation so we can change the overall risk level.  All of this to say, we can learn much from the risk studies of risky professions for our families.  Tactically, we've got many small decisions in our daily lives.  We've also got many less tangible, less physical risks in family and home life.  As you go through life transitions, make sure that you're taking the time to understand the risks - both those apparent and those unintended but anticipatable with deeper research or consideration.  

With you in the arena, from ours to yours...Happy Trails!

Call to Action: 

• Consider your family and home...what are some risks that you had 10 years ago, today, and anticipate in 10 years...what can you do to mitigate some of the present or future ones right now?  
• 1 - ___________________ 
• 2 - ___________________
• 3 - ___________________
• Discussion: Consider what you/your family could/would/should (level of commitment) and start/stop/sustain (action) in terms of risk management...new job, new home, new location, new car, new friends, new activity...take a sized up risk...and go forth.  

Further Reading, Motivation, and References:

- Family Risk Management 

- Starting a Family Risk Management