The essence of risk management lies in maximizing the areas where we have some control over the outcome while minimizing the areas where we have absolutely no control over the outcome.
Peter L. Bernstein – Risk Author

During COVID, we were all VUCANs(R). We all had to deal with Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. This implies each of us is inherently a risk manager. Why? Maybe, it’s hard wired into our DNA. Look at the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome our ancestors had to live and decide by. The very survivability of our species was defined by this simple risk-based conundrum.

It may be hard wired and genetic. Travis Bradberry said: “The real obstacle to positivity is that our brains are wired to look for and focus on threats.”92

Story: If you pick up any paper or listen to any TV show, about three quarters of the programs deal with some form of risk. Risks can also result from pandemics, cyber-attacks, food recalls, theft, violence, crossing the street, and then the mother of all risks the possible extinction of humans. Extinction may come from multiple sources. Killer virus. Meteor strike. Super volcano eruption. Global warming. Nuclear war. Robogeddon. In other words, there are too many existential threats and risks.

Story: The good thing is your risk lens can be developed and learned. Risk management may be as simple as asking the right questions. For example a common challenge, you’re going to the doctor to check a medication, procedure, test, surgery, or COVID vaccination. Intentional Self-Management implies you take an active role in your medical decision making. Oslo neurosurgeon Christer Mjåset, suggests these questions:

1. Is this procedure really necessary?
2. What are the risks of the procedure?
3. Are there other options other than the procedure?
4. What happens if I don’t do anything?93

Work Lesson Earned: COVID was a paradigm shift with real personal challenges. VUCANs want the opposite of VUCA. VUCANs want predictability, consistency, knowledge, and safety. VUCANs will have to develop new habits and learn how to deal with Disruption Rules as the new normal.

Most of us want control in our lives – control of VUCA. However, we destroy ourselves worrying about everything. Every decision is fraught with risk. Everything is a problem that can’t be solved. Start seeing the future of your work and life through the risk lens, which will help you understand and adapt to work, career, and job changes.