Did you know that we make a whopping 35,000 decisions each and every day? Some of these are more mundane than others, but our risk personality impacts them all. To illustrate this, we’ve outlined a day of decision making through the lens of PCL’s Junior Psychologist and Composed Risk Type – Elliot Phillips.
7am. It’s finally not raining so after a cup of coffee I put on my bike helmet and cycle into work. Being a Composed Risk Type, I’m not fazed by cycling in rush hour. Sure, there are some reckless drivers – I’m convinced that these people are Adventurous Risk Types – who will dart out of junctions or try to beat the red lights, but I don’t see this as anything to worry about. I can’t say the same for my partner though who insists that I text her once I’ve arrived safely at the office. Then again, she is an Intense Risk Type.
8:40am. Bag down and computer on. I quickly flick through some emails before logging onto Zoom to co-facilitate an in-house Risk Type Compass training course. One of the delegates is a Prudent Risk Type and focusses on how the logistics and administration would fit in with their existing procedures. Another is a Carefree Risk Type and her focus is on the different ways in which they could apply the Risk Type Compass; restructuring teams, bespoke development plans, managing change, the list goes on! Knowing their Risk Types, I was able to plan my responses accordingly; providing one with details about the logistical ease of implementing the Risk Type Compass and telling the other about its expansive applicability.
12 o’clock. Lunchtime! I head into Tunbridge Wells to grab a bite to eat with Geoff, our CEO and resident Adventurous Risk Type. Rather than walk along to the pedestrian crossing, Geoff casually strolls across the main road outside the office. We visit a new café in town that has recently opened. Neither of us have been to it before but we try it anyway.
The owners MUST be Prudent Risk Types. The layout is incredibly systematic, and the menus contain extensive detail on; where their coffee blends are sourced, how many times they stir the caramel shot, and the family tree of the cows who provide the milk they use.
1pm. I arrive back at my desk to an urgent proposal request that has come through and we need to respond before the end of the day. My colleague Simon is a Deliberate Risk Type and remains unperturbed by the urgency of the request, suggesting that we pull together some of the usual information and treat it like any other proposal request. But Louisa is an Excitable Risk Type and is clearly worried by the pressing timeline, while simultaneously animated by the opportunity to pitch an innovative and new solution to the client. Luckily, our resident Axial Risk Type Anna acts as an anchor and is able to pull together our varying viewpoints.
3pm. After helping to create the proposal pitch, I call a client who wants to learn more about the Risk Type Compass Team Report. As I am explaining how teams’ Risk Types can be mapped, and the insights this enables, she regularly comments on turnaround times, potential hurdles to overcome with delayed responses etc. With her worry of delays and explicit efforts to mitigate the risk of setbacks, I’d be very surprised if she isn’t a Wary Risk Type.
5pm. After encountering all eight Risk Types across an eight-hour shift, I close down my computer and cycle back home. So what if it’s dark? I still don’t see the cause for concern.