Pick a Zone   ….  any Zone

When it comes to managing risk (safety, bullying, environment etc.), most employers are doing “something”. Raising risk awareness, culture change programs, continuously improving their risk management framework… and the list goes on.

However, not many (any?) have “mastered” their risk management approach.

Of course, if they purport to have mastered it, many would be interested to see how they arrived at this conclusion – i.e. how they have “measured” their mastery.

So accepting that most employers are “on the journey”, what “zone” are they in:

• Comfort?
• Stretch?
• Panic?

Comfort – in the context of risk management this probably spells resistance, complacency, ignorance or an unacceptable tolerance to risk – possibly not the best place to operate.

Panic – typically savoured post incident, is an awesome platform to generate transformational change, but possibly a tad late – so let’s move on.

Stretch – it has been said that the best performing businesses live with a “chronic sense of unease” – maybe this is the mystical Stretch Zone?

Well, that has been my experience. Definitely not comfortable – because anything can happen, mistakes will be made, luck eventually runs out; but also understanding that panic does not serve anyone’s best interests and is entirely inconsistent with notions of proactivity.

So, what does this “Stretch Zone” look like in your business?

To me, firstly it is an acknowledgment that we can and want to do better. Second and following, it is about an informed, strategic, deliberate and incremental plan to progressively step change to a new and improved version of your current self.

To what extent could you or your executive leadership team articulate this plan to the Regulator or someone nice? What types of  conversations are being shared throughout the corporate hierarchy on this plan in the interests of deep and meaningful consultation?

Given we are now well into the New Year – what sort of progress have you made in real terms delivering on this (Stretch Zone) Plan?

So…
Which Zone are you really in again?

To find out more about our Mock Court Programs, please give us a call on  1800 85 86 98 or contact us via our website today.

Written by Bruce Whitehead