Personal Risk Management
Personal risk management is among the broad range of activities to which we can apply the general
principles and lessons of risk management, and New Year can be a great time to do it, explains David Hillson...
Personal risk management is among the broad range of
activities to which we can apply the general principles and
lessons of risk management, and New Year can be a great time to
do it...
By David Hillson
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A common definition of risk is “Any uncertainty which, if it
occurs, will have an effect on achievement of one or more
objectives.” This generic definition allows us to apply risk
management to a broad range of activities, wherever we can
define distinct objectives. This includes personal risk
management, identifying and managing uncertainties that could
affect achievement of our personal objectives.
Defining objectives
As with any other application area, personal risk management can
be applied at different levels of detail. The key lies in how
well we are able to specify our personal objectives. At the
highest level we might say that our aim is to be “happy,
healthy, wealthy and wise”, and we can identify and manage
strategic personal risks which might affect these broad goals.
This might require us to address big issues such as our key
personal relationships, diet and exercise regime, or investment
and pension policies.
Or we might identify more specific personal objectives such as
“Reduce my weight by 20 pounds by the end of June”, or “Learn to
speak a foreign language fluently before my summer holidays”, or
“Obtain promotion within 12 months.” For each of these specific
objectives we can then apply the risk management process to help
us reach them.
Threats & opportunities of each scenario
The process is exactly the same as any other application of risk
management. After defining objectives, the next step is to
identify risks, including both threats which could hinder us as
well as opportunities which could help us. For a career
development objective for example, downside risks might include
the following: I might be assigned to a new job which absorbs
all my time and energy; I might invest in training which does
not provide the required new skills or knowledge; I might set
unrealistic expectations and give up. On the upside, a new
opening may arise at work or elsewhere; I might be able to use
completely different skills to move into a new area; I might
meet someone who offers me my ideal next job.
After risk identification comes assessment, estimating the
probability and impact of each identified risk to prioritise
them for further action. Simple “high/medium/low” scales can be
used for this, enabling the worst threats and best opportunities
to be found.
Developing appropriate responses
This needs to be followed by response development, finding
appropriate and effective actions to minimise threats and
maximise opportunities. Some of these might be simple (talk to
my boss or colleagues about possible internal openings; research
available training courses), and others may require more effort
and investment (obtain coaching to explore my deep-seated
personal goals; join professional association to improve
networking).
Finally, identified responses need to be implemented, and their
effect should be monitored, to see whether they are moving us
towards our objective. Where necessary, we should develop new
responses, remaining alert to the possibility of secondary
risks. And our risk assessment should be updated regularly to
find and respond to new threats and opportunities.
Entering a New Year might be a good time to do some personal
risk management, reviewing where we are currently in relation to
where we want to be, and developing strategies and actions to
change where necessary. Risk management is not just for work or
business – it can help us achieve our personal objectives as
well. Try applying the risk process to your personal life and
see what a difference it can make!
--------------------------------------------
© Copyright January 2006, David Hillson/Risk Doctor
Limited
To provide feedback on this Briefing Note, or for more details
on how to develop effective risk management, contact the Risk
Doctor or visit the Risk Doctor website.
======================
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======================
MEET THE RISK DOCTOR
2005 was a busy year for overseas travel! Despite the
fascination of sharing the risk message in many different
cultures, Work-Life balance demands a change for 2006, so fewer
overseas trips are planned. January sees trips to Israel,
Ireland and Germany, with plans for South Africa, France,
Germany and Ireland in February. Risk Doctor services will
continue to be available across the globe, so please visit the
Events page at
www.risk-doctor.com for full details of
public events. If there’s nothing currently planned near you,
why not contact us to arrange an event.
======================
GET IN TOUCH
To benefit from our unique blend of leading-edge thinking with
practical application, contact us today. Our approach to
maximising opportunity and minimising threats will ensure that
you get the most from your business and projects. And check out
the Publications area of our website www.risk-doctor.com for
papers you can download. Risk Doctor & Partners email
david@risk-doctor.com
visit
www.risk-doctor.com or call
+44(0)7717 665222
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