We cross roads every day – and sometimes, we leap

Academics & Programmes

12 Jun 2025

Risk is, more often than not, painted in negative terms - threats, losses, failures. But real risk management goes beyond protection. It’s about enabling movement, unlocking opportunities, and making progress possible in a world full of uncertainty.

Think about the simple act of crossing a road. There’s danger in stepping off the pavement – yes - but we don’t freeze. We assess the traffic. We look left, right, and left again. And then we move. That’s risk management in its most instinctive form: we weigh the risk, decide, and keep moving.

When Standing Still Is the Bigger Risk

A recent video brought this to life in an unexpected way. A fish, trapped in a puddle near a riverbank, repeatedly (assuming) throws itself toward the open water. It doesn’t stay where it’s safe. It risks getting stuck on dry land. And it may fail a few times. But it keeps trying. Because staying still is a greater threat than trying and failing.

That fish didn’t see risk as something to avoid. It saw it as a path back to life. And indeed, it took the opportunity and reached the open water.

And that’s the point: risk is in everything we do, and it isn’t always negative. It can be a bridge to something better. It’s the space where growth, innovation, and resilience happen. In our professional world, we can’t afford to aim for a risk-free environment. That mindset limits potential. Instead, we need to foster a culture where risk is understood, communicated, managed, and used to move forward. So, whether you’re crossing a road or leaping toward a new idea, remember: managing risk isn’t about staying safe - it’s about moving with foresight, agility, and purpose.

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Ruschelle Sgammini Lecturer