Tales of Risk

The high cost of inadequate business planning Risk Principle(s): Planning Failure; Environmental Blindness Key Lessons: Poor alignment with market realities and lack of preparation lead to collapse. Risk requires foresight, adaptability, and effective resource planning. The tales we cherish often hold a mirror to our greatest organisational flaws. Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl” […]

The peril of short-term greed over sustainable value Risk Principle(s): Sustainability vs. Greed; Value Preservation Key Lessons: Overexploitation of assets destroys long-term value. Preserve core competencies, reinvest in future, and don’t sacrifice sustainability for short-term gains. In the rich tapestry of ancient folklore, certain tales transcend mere entertainment, offering profound and timeless insights into human

The wisdom of managing known risks Risk Principle(s): Known vs. Unknown Risks; Reactive Solutions Key Lessons: Sometimes it’s wiser to accept minor, understood risks than introduce new, uncertain ones through hasty intervention. In the rich tapestry of ancient folklore, certain tales transcend mere entertainment, offering profound and timeless insights into human nature and its consequences.

Sleeping Beauty: The peril of excluding key stakeholders in planning Risk Principles: Stakeholder Inclusion; Governance Failures Key Lessons: Excluding key voices creates blind spots and risk of sabotage. Inclusion and awareness of all impacts are crucial to successful planning. The tales we cherish often hold a mirror to our greatest organisational flaws. The classic story

The hazards of unrealistic performance expectations. Risk Principle(s): Unrealistic Expectations; Ethical Risk; Pressure-Induced Misconduct Key Lessons: Unrealistic goals foster fraud, corner-cutting, and burnout, eroding ethical standards. Sustainable performance demands realistic targets and a clear ethical compass to prevent misconduct under pressure. In the rich tapestry of ancient folklore, certain tales transcend mere entertainment, offering profound

The Lure of the Gingerbread House Risk Principle(s): Due Diligence; Surface-Level Temptations Risk Lessons: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scrutinise attractive opportunities that may conceal serious risks. The classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, lured into a seemingly delicious trap by a house made of gingerbread and sweets, serves

The Value of Objective Opinion Risk Principle(s): Independent Opinion; Governance; Groupthink Risk Lessons: Risks grow when truth is suppressed. Encourage objective viewpoints, independent audits, and a culture where dissent is safe and valued. In the complex theatre of corporate governance, where reputation, performance, and stakeholder trust are always on display, the most significant threats often

The wolf in the woods: What Little Red Riding Hood teaches us about due diligence Risk Principles: Due Diligence; Vigilance Against Deception Key Lessons: Trust must be earned. External threats (like competitors or phishing) can exploit naiveté. Always verify – don’t assume good intentions. In the intricate world of risk management and governance, a single

Risk Principles: Undervalued talent; psychological safety; diversity of strength Key Lesson(s): Unconventional or perceived weaknesses may be hidden strengths. Risk lies in conformity pressure and dismissing non-traditional capabilities. Cultivate environments for belief and empowerment. Beyond the Mockery: What Dumbo teaches us about overlooked strengths and unconventional risk In the complex narrative of organisational success, the