Risk Management Magazine

When the abnormal starts to feel normal, risk can hide in plain sight. It’s exactly this kind of subtle environmental setup that breeds overconfidence. A small oversight, made in good faith, can have serious consequences when assumptions go unchallenged.

As snowflakes began hitting the road, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel of my speed-racing Honda Civic. I could picture my front-wheel-drive hatchback doing 360s down the highway. But I had an important briefing at work and, as the leader, calling out wasn’t an option. I’d have to fight the worsening conditions on Interstate 78.

This incident wasn’t an isolated case. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a seemingly innocuous situation can escalate into a life-threatening crisis.