Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
By Melanie Lockwood Herman and Erin Gloeckner
This week we read a wonderful article published by the American Bar Association about how trial stories are sometimes inspired by movie plots. It caused us to reminisce about a few personal, “ah-ha” moments while watching films on the big screen. Here are a few favorite film quotes, with the risk themes and lessons we associate with each:
Risk Lesson: Lincoln’s observation about a compass is a wonderful reminder that a board that focuses solely on the direction it is headed, with disregard to risk, is needlessly vulnerable to the obstacles that certainly line the path to that vision. Boards must be visionary and strategic, yet remain grounded in seeking to understand and circumvent the challenges that it may be impossible to avoid.
Risk Lesson: This sweet sentiment can be interpreted in so many different ways. One way is as a reminder that the mission of an entity should not be measured by the risks it avoids or by the challenges it skirts, but rather by the risks it embraces to change the lives of human beings and protect the planet on which we all reside. Embrace risk management in order to help your entity take more risk than you avoid.
Risk Lesson: Reuben Feffer, an overly anxious risk manager, is given helpful advice from his father Irving. Rueben learns the lesson that you can’t control everything. By relinquishing some control, your narrow perspective might expand, allowing you to take advantage of new opportunities.
Risk Lesson: The Terminator is denied entry into a police station where Sarah Connor is hiding. He tells the police officer he will be back. Moments later, the Terminator drives a car into the police station. The lesson is that the potential for downside risk rarely disappears altogether, no matter how desperately you want it to. There’s always a possibility of an action or event that could ruin your day or impair your mission. Preparation, not wishful thinking, is the key to fortifying an entity’s mission.
Risk Lesson: John Hammond, the creator of Jurassic Park, implements elaborate controls to keep guests safe, yet one greedy employee brings the whole system crashing down. The lesson is that overconfidence is dangerous, and complex controls sometimes offer you a false sense of security.
Risk Lesson: Neo takes the red pill to depart the Matrix and enter the real world. The lesson is that human beings can’t predict the future. You will never have enough information to guess exactly how risk-taking or risk-avoidance will turn out. Sometimes you have to rely on a gut feeling. Would Neo have taken the red pill if he knew what chaos lay ahead?
Risk Lesson: William Wallace refuses to confess to treason for leading the Scots in a war against English rule. Wallace submits to torture and death rather than quitting the fight for freedom. The lesson is that sometimes the biggest risk is worth the payoff. Always be ready to take a risk if it means advancing your mission.
Risk Lesson: Simba spends years avoiding the repercussions of his tumultuous past, but later learns an important lesson from the wise baboon, Rafiki. Simba then resolves to face his past and take his rightful place as king of Pride Rock. The lesson is that you should never bury risks or past mistakes. Bring the past to light and encourage thoughtful reflection on risk events, near-misses, and other challenges. Facing the past will empower your entity to grow in the future.
Melanie Herman is Executive Director and Erin Gloeckner is former Director of Consulting Services at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Melanie welcomes your questions about risk management and NRMC’s consulting services at 703.777.3504 or Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org.
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