Michael Gips and CrisisLead CEO, Christopher Stitt had a great time presenting at this year’s RIMS ERM Conference, where we shared our insights during our session, “The Art and Science of High-Performing Enterprise Risk Management: Bridging Silos for Sustainable Success.” We explored how organizations can enhance their enterprise risk management (ERM) practices by integrating cultural maturity, risk intelligence, and a dynamic approach to navigating uncertainty. Here’s a look at the key themes and takeaways from our session.
Setting the Stage: Why High-Performing Enterprise Risk Management Matters
In today’s volatile environment, organizations face risks that demand agility, resilience, and innovation. Traditional ERM models often fall short, struggling to address siloed decision-making and lack of integration across business units. Michael and I emphasized that successful ERM goes beyond compliance and checklist exercises—it must be a dynamic, holistic process that aligns people, processes, and purpose.
The Framework for Sustainable Success
We structured our session around several interrelated concepts, offering practical frameworks and examples to empower attendees:
1. Cultural Maturity: Building the Foundation
We began by discussing how cultural maturity is the bedrock of high-performing organizations. A mature risk culture ensures that all team members understand their role in managing risk and are empowered to make informed decisions. Michael underscored the role of leadership in fostering this culture, including a look at tribal leadership using movie characters as the personas of the different tribal stages. We had a lot of fun with audience participation on that one!
2. Risk Intelligence: The Key to Dynamic Decision-Making
At the heart of our presentation was the concept of risk intelligence (RI)—a proactive, opportunity-focused approach to risk. We described how RI enables organizations to make informed decisions by integrating agility and resilience into their operations. This includes not just managing risks but seizing opportunities to innovate and thrive even in uncertain conditions. Understanding the Risk Intelligence Quotient developed by Dr. Gav Schneider helps individuals and organizations understand their risk maturity.
3. Dynamic Risk Equilibrium: Striking the Right Balance
We introduced the concept of Dynamic Risk Equilibrium (DRE) as a means of achieving organizational stability and high performance. By balancing people and processes—underpinned by risk intelligence—organizations can maintain operational excellence while staying prepared for disruption. This framework incorporates elements like mindfulness, situational awareness, and strategic communication to enhance both resilience and agility.
4. Presilience®: Evolving Beyond Resilience
Presilience® takes traditional resilience a step further by embedding risk intelligence and critical thinking into every level of the organization. This forward-thinking approach focuses on proactive preparation, enabling organizations to maintain high performance in routine operations and adapt effectively during crises. Presilience fosters a growth mindset, empowering teams to navigate uncertainty with confidence and creativity.
Actionable Takeaways for Enterprise Risk Management Professionals
We wrapped up our session with key strategies for attendees to implement in their own organizations:
- Invest in Cultural Maturity: Foster a risk-aware culture through leadership, training, and open communication.
- Adopt Risk Intelligence: Equip teams with the tools and mindset to embrace opportunities and navigate challenges proactively.
- Break Down Silos: Encourage collaboration across departments and functions to create a unified risk management approach.
- Strive for Dynamic Risk Equilibrium: Balance operational efficiency with adaptability to ensure sustainability and resilience.
Looking Forward: Bridging Silos for the Future
As we concluded our presentation, it was clear that bridging silos isn’t just a strategy—it’s a necessity for sustainable success. By integrating the art of cultural transformation with the science of advanced risk management tools, organizations can position themselves to thrive in an unpredictable world.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Michael Gips of Global Insights in Professional Security for his collaboration and invaluable insights throughout this presentation. His depth of experience and thought leadership enriched the discussion and brought our concepts to life. Thanks also to the RIMS ERM Conference team for organizing such an impactful event, and to the attendees whose engagement and curiosity made our session a true exchange of ideas.
What challenges does your organization face in achieving high-performing ERM? Let’s continue the conversation— Schedule a call using the “Contact Us” link. Together, we can bridge silos and build a more resilient future.
