Engaging employees in Risk Management

In conversations with many CEO’s regarding risk management a common concern is raised. Regardless of the maturity of risk practices, policies and procedures, leadership is concerned that risk management is not seen as the responsibility of all employees. The question often arises: “What can I do to get my employees more engaged in risk management?”

Well, as luck would have it, we have a few suggestions.

1) Engage employees in risk discussions – in addition to memo’s, training and videos invite all levels of employees to meetings discussing risk. These meetings can be “lunch and learns” and designed to solicit input from participants.

2) Encourage Risk Workshops – bring various teams together to complete risk assessments, resolve risk issues, and discuss risk strategies.

3) Highlight a risk functions (Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, Quality Control, etc.) in internal publications. Let employees “get to know” the purpose, processes, and people of risk management.

4) Provide employees risk education based on application to their jobs versus theory, textbook or regulator requirements. Adding the human touch to education engages more to educate people than college type classes.

5) Have a GRC system that is accessible to everyone and have everyone participate an access it.

These few steps will enhance the understanding of risk management throughout the organization. More importantly, as employees understand more they will participate more and the risk culture of them organization will be changed.