How to Assess Your Risk Profile by Standing Naked in the Shower
Risk has become big business. It only takes a moment to see that risk, or more precisely, risk management, has pervaded almost every area of our lives. A quick Internet search yields thousands of articles and multiple category matches for at-risk. These articles inform us about risk in everything from animals in danger to cyberstalking, from our personal health to the health of our society, and from at-risk youth to the elderly at-risk.
Many of us work feverishly to reduce the amount of risk we take. For example:
- We fasten our seat belts.
- We perform risk analysis before beginning a business.
- We consumer-test products.
- We set boundaries for our children.
- We monitor student progress.
- We check our cholesterol.
- We determine the level of incarceration appropriate for offenders.
And the list goes on and on. The reality is, even with all of these precautions, we are all at-risk. Furthermore, Blue, Gold, Green, and Orange people are all susceptible to different amounts and different types of risk.
Information on risk management is readily available in cyberspace and in the marketplace. The question is how can we apply what we know in order to make a difference?
The important first step we ought to take is to take a close look at ourselves to determine where we, individually, are most at risk. Sounds pretty easy doesn’t it? Maybe for some, it is. However, a long hard look often requires shedding our roles and stripping away our responsibilities so that we are able to figuratively “stand naked in the shower” and take a cold, hard look at our values, attitudes, and actions.
Consider the following scenarios. What are the risks? What are the consequences? What can each person do to manage the risk?
Angelina the Manager
Angelina the Manager
Angelina has worked hard all of her life. About five years ago she finally reached one of her long-term goals. She became the manager of a major department in her organization. As thrilled as she was, she found that the hours were long and she was away from her family more than she wanted. Still, the new job allowed her to work closely with the people that she managed and she enjoyed the chance to build those relationships. In the next couple of years, the workload became more manageable and Angelina really enjoyed her work.
Then, last year, the organization did some restructuring. Angelina was put on a management team with a group of individuals with whom she didn’t see eye-to-eye. Each meeting (and there seemed to be many more than usual), seemed to go nowhere and tempers blazed. Morale started to sag and Angelina stopped enjoying her job.
If things proceed, Angelina’s company will likely see an increase in the number of sick days she requests. Angelina may have to make the tough decision as to whether it is possible for her to stay in her hard-won position. Angelina is, at this point, an at-risk employee. Due to the organization change, her values (relationships and cooperation) are in direct opposition to her working climate.
Thomas the Teenager
Thomas the Teenager
Thomas is a typical teenager. He likes to hang out with a select group of friends, work on the computer, and eat pizza. He also likes to learn and explore new ideas. Thomas has one secret. His father drinks a lot. Because of the drinking, the family often runs short of money and cannot afford to buy new clothes and the other things that teenagers “need” to have.
Thomas has been a good student for much of his life, he thinks of school as a place to get away from the stressful situation at home. Because he rarely shows his emotions, many of his friends don’t know about the stress he faces each day.
Thomas’ reality contains several factors that put him at risk. His father’s drinking, economic troubles, and the stress of keeping the family secret all lead to an increased risk of substance abuse, academic trouble, violence, and depression. Unfortunately, the likely question in this scenario is not if Thomas will experience trouble, but when.
Are You At-Risk?
So, are you at-risk? Are you working in a climate that falls short of meeting your needs? Are you building a family climate that meets the needs of each member? Are you creating a classroom climate that supports positive attitudes and actions? Are you interested in making a change for the better?
These are the tough questions. But they have to be asked — and answered — before we can begin to solve them.