Airbag - steering-wheel continuum: Difference between revisions

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}}{{maxim|You only need airbags if you don’t steer straight}}.
}}{{maxim|You only need airbags if you don’t steer straight}}.


The “airbag - steering wheel continuum” is a management thought experiment<ref>I know what you are thinking: ''“''Who knew [[Middle management|management]] experimented with ''thought''?”</ref> asks: ''which is your containment device of choice?''  
The “airbag - steering wheel continuum” is a management thought experiment<ref>I know what you are thinking: ''“''Who knew [[Middle management|management]] experimented with ''thought''?”</ref> that asks: ''which is your “containment device” of choice?''  


Where does your [[risk]] strategy sit, on the spectrum between: “I will conduct my affairs using expert people, with sensible customers, in a prudent manner, with a view to maximising shareholder return in the long run and minimising my exposure to extreme events, even if that means foregoing short-term gains in some cases” — in the terms of this metaphor, a “steering wheel” — and “sod it, I have an ejector seat, let’s bet the house on red” — an “airbag”.
Where, in other words, does your [[risk]] strategy sit, on the spectrum between: “I will conduct my affairs using market experts, whom I have empowered, to deal with sensible customers, whom I know well, in a prudent manner, with a view to maximising [[shareholder]] return in the long run and minimising the firm’s exposure to extreme events, even if that means foregoing short-term gains in some cases” — in the terms of this [[metaphor]], this is the “steering wheel” tactic — and “sod it, I have an ejector seat, I’m okay, so dammit, let’s bet the house on red!” this is an “airbag” tactic.


Should things not go according to plan, the likely outcome of the former is gradual, unspectacular prosperity. The likely outcome of the latter, in ''the best case'' is you write off your car, but walk away with a only a mild case of whiplash and a [[regulatory enema]] of some description.
Should things not go according to plan, the likely outcome of the ''former'' is gradual, unspectacular prosperity. The likely outcome of the ''latter'', in ''the best case'' is you write off your car, but walk away with a only a mild case of whiplash and a luxuriant [[regulatory enema]] to look forward to.


'''Risk managers''': if your first question, at any unexpected turn of events, is “legal, can I close out?”, you are an ''airbag'' kind of guy.
'''Risk managers''': if your first question, at an unexpected turn of events, is “hey, [[legal eagles]], can I close out?”, you are an ''airbag'' sort of person.


'''Employers''': if you hire risk managers who are airbag fans, ''you'' are an airbag kind of guy.
'''Employers''': if you hire risk managers who are airbag fans, ''you'' are an airbag sort of person.


Don’t be an airbag kind of guy.
Don’t be an airbag sort of .


{{Sa}}
{{Sa}}

Revision as of 14:37, 24 September 2021

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You only need airbags if you don’t steer straight.

The “airbag - steering wheel continuum” is a management thought experiment[1] that asks: which is your “containment device” of choice?

Where, in other words, does your risk strategy sit, on the spectrum between: “I will conduct my affairs using market experts, whom I have empowered, to deal with sensible customers, whom I know well, in a prudent manner, with a view to maximising shareholder return in the long run and minimising the firm’s exposure to extreme events, even if that means foregoing short-term gains in some cases” — in the terms of this metaphor, this is the “steering wheel” tactic — and “sod it, I have an ejector seat, I’m okay, so dammit, let’s bet the house on red!” — this is an “airbag” tactic.

Should things not go according to plan, the likely outcome of the former is gradual, unspectacular prosperity. The likely outcome of the latter, in the best case is you write off your car, but walk away — with a only a mild case of whiplash and a luxuriant regulatory enema to look forward to.

Risk managers: if your first question, at an unexpected turn of events, is “hey, legal eagles, can I close out?”, you are an airbag sort of person.

Employers: if you hire risk managers who are airbag fans, you are an airbag sort of person.

Don’t be an airbag sort of .

See also

References

  1. I know what you are thinking: Who knew management experimented with thought?”