I changed my car recently. When I collected the new one I was given two keys: the main one, which was integrated with the remote-control fob and a spare which was just a key. They were on two keyrings which were linked. When I got home I could see only one. It seemed that the rings must have separated. I checked my pockets, the floor of the car, more pockets… I ‘phoned the garage and was assured I had not dropped one there. I ‘phoned the filling station where I had stopped on the way home. (Have you ever noticed that however much you pay for a car you don’t get much petro included in the price?). NI remembered having had a struggle with the lock on the petrol ap. No luck. I worried all night. The next day I went to get a duplicate cut. That would reduce the seriousness if I were to lose the other key, but I was still worrying as to who might have got the missing one. As I held up the key to ask the man to copy it, I noticed that there were two keys on the two rings, which were joined. Somehow I had misled myself with an optical illusion. It had something to do with the fact that one key disappeared into the remote-control fob. Or something. Did I feel stupid? What do you think?
So what’s this got to do with Risk Management?
Forget the risk of losing a key! My point is that sometimes you cannot see a thing that is right in front of you. The harder you look, the less you can see.
That is why we all need someone else to look at a problem with us. Someone who is not too closely involved. That independent view can be very valuable, when a problem seems to have defeated you.
Think about it.
Then give me a ring.
Not a keyring!
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