Tags: Risk Leadership
October 7, 2026
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Reflect, Don’t Regret: Building a Resilience Mindset After a Crisis or Disruption
By Melanie Lockwood Herman “That could have been so much worse!” I replied to a friend telling me about his disrupted morning commute due to a tire sidewall failure on a busy highway. After the conversation ended, it occurred to...
August 19, 2026
The Balancing Act: Optimism and Pessimism in Risk Leadership
By Melanie Lockwood Herman During a conversation with a colleague this week she explained that her daughter waved off the generous offer of her Nana to accompany her on the first day of school. Why? Her daughter remarked, "I just...
June 17, 2026
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Unleashed: How to Inspire Risk Maturity
At this year’s Risk Summit, I’m excited to co-present a session on risk maturity, a timeless topic for risk champions. Evolving the approach to risk management—which may include simplifying, fortifying and many steps in between—is a familiar goal expressed by...
March 3, 2026
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Nobody Likes to Be Told What to Do
I’ve been re-reading Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need To Know Now, a thin volume packed with powerful, heartwarming and heart-wrenching advice. During morning tea with my roommates (Mum and her dog Ringo), we sometimes...
Topics: General
February 10, 2026
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Traction, Not Distraction: Sorting the Elements of Your Risk Function
I’ve recently been reading Indistractable, by Nir Eyal. One concept that resonated was the distinction between traction and distraction. Borrowing from Eyal’s insight that “distractions impede us from making progress towards the life we envisage,” I’ve identified a handful of...
Topics: Organizational Culture
December 19, 2025
Resource Type: Risk eNews
To Be a Better Risk Leader, Fly Like a Hawk
On one of the warmer days last week (a balmy 45 degrees), I hiked the woods on my best friend’s property. I was joined by my trusty four-legged companion Braxton, but we both were a little surprised by our other...
Topics: Risk Basics
June 20, 2025
Resource Type: Risk eNews
How to Build a Risk-Aware Culture
By Rachel Sams Nonprofit leaders often ask the NRMC team how they can create a risk-aware culture. Their goal: to make their organization a place where people speak up early and often about concerns, so the team can understand and...
May 1, 2025
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Risk Leadership with Situational Awareness
My dog Braxton recently reminded me of an important life skill: situational awareness. Braxton is a medium sized, predominantly Labrador mix with a fervor for playing frisbee. When I open the door, she waits for my signal to go out....
Topics: General
March 17, 2025
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Your Top Risks are Mysteries, Not Puzzles
By Melanie Lockwood Herman It may not surprise you that many people who are drawn to risk management are undaunted by puzzles. At NRMC we often hear a commitment to “figure this out,” or “sort and rank our risks.” My...
Topics: Organizational Culture, Risk Assessment, Risk Basics
February 4, 2025
Resource Type: Risk eNews
How to Simplify and Streamline During a Crisis
By Melanie Lockwood Herman “An infinite-minded leader does not simply want to build a company that can weather change but one that can be transformed by it. They want to build a company that embraces surprises and adapts with them.”...