Risk or Opportunity

When leaders hear “risk,” most think danger. But what if risk was also a doorway to opportunity?

I’ve seen boards treat risk registers like compliance checkboxes, something to file away rather than a tool to drive better decisions. But when you reframe risk, it becomes a lever for innovation.

For example, in a mixed-market housing project, a financial risk around equity leveraging forced us to explore social bonds with Housing Investment Corporation. The risk became the spark for a new borrowing avenue: long-term low-interest lending through the bond market.

Reframing risk means:
❓ Instead of “What if this fails?” ask “What if this works?”
📈 Instead of eliminating risk, focus on managing and leveraging it.
🤔 Instead of fear, cultivate curiosity.

Three Actions for Leaders:
1️⃣ Add an “opportunity lens” column to your risk register.
2️⃣ Discuss risks openly at every board meeting, normalize the conversation.
3️⃣ Ask your team: Which risks could open doors if managed well?

Risk isn’t the enemy of progress. Mismanaged risk is. Managed well, risk fuels opportunity.

Want to explore ways to leverage risk for your advantage, visit us: www.dewlingstrategies.ca