EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE The Positive Side of Risk W ith the start of a new year along with the resolutions people make, and consider- ing that this is a special issue on risk, it seemed appropriate to discuss taking risks. Why is taking a risk for some approached as an opportunity to try something new and make a positive change, while for others, it is uncomfortable and evokes fear and anxiety? According to the Merriam Webster diction- ary, risk is defined as: 1. Possibility of loss or injury 2. Someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard 3. The chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract 4. A person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer 5. An insurance hazard from a specified cause or source 6. The chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value It would seem the latter group that is fearful has the right idea. However, if you read the various definitions again, you will notice the words “possibility” and “chance,” which means there is only a “chance” that taking the risk will be dangerous or result in a loss. For those of us making New Year’s reso- lutions, we are challenging ourselves, step- ping outside our comfort zone and taking a risk in the hopes of achieving our goal. We consider that if we are willing to change our attitude, face our fears and possibly fail that we will learn something. We estimate the risks, consider what could go wrong, plan how we will handle the worst-case scenario, and then decide whether to make that New Year’s resolution and push ourselves towards the possible positive outcome rather than dwell on the possible failure or negative outcome. Either way, there will be growth and learning involved. As an organization, DFI has taken its share of risks — starting chapters in other parts of the world, collaborating with other associations on research and conferences, adding new committees (e.g., ground improvement and landsl ides/slope stabilization), buying an office building, expanding our board, and changing the format of our annual conference. Some of these changes had been met with resistance and concern that DFI was expanding beyond its ori- ginal scope and/or beyond its resources. However, after listening to the membership, weighing opportunities against threats, and planning how to adjust if a threat came to fruition, DFI’s leadership took the chance and expanded our reach and our ability to be more inclusive. Personally, I have taken risks, which to some may not seem significant, but for me were out of my comfort zone at the time — e.g., changing majors, parasailing, running for the school board, leaving my job to have children, skeet shooting, getting remarried and undertaking the position of executive director of DFI. Some challenges have worked out quite well, while others were simply learning experiences and stepping stones towards taking the next risk. As Jerry DiMaggio states in our cover story, on page 14, when considering risk in geoconstruction and geoengineering, though the chances of positive outcomes (i.e., opportunities) or negative outcomes (i.e., threats) are present, the community tends to focus only on the threats to the Theresa Engler Executive Director [email protected] project’s success, while unfor- tunately overlooking the posi t ive opportunities. He goes on to say that implementing risk management analysis opens the door to benefits to each of the stakeholders involved (i.e., owners, consultants and contractors), while mini- mizing or eliminating the threats. Hopefully, more industry members will heed this advice, and will keep innovating and taking risks, while properly managing those risks to obtain the best possible results. As you start the new year and take steps towards fulfilling your New Year’s resolu- tions, remember Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice to “do one thing every day that scares you” and jump in with both feet…but do so only after analyzing the risk. When you’re uncertain, read this poem by Janet Rand and take a chance at making a change or achieving a goal because today you can’t know what tomorrow will bring, but it’s better than looking back and saying, “I wonder what would have been if only I had…” RISKS by Janet Rand To laugh is to risk appearing the fool, To weep is to risk being called sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self. To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive. To love is to risk not being loved in return, To live is to risk dying, To hope is to risk despair, To try is to risk failure But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love. Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2018 • 9
