This Thursday, I will talk with leading women in risk about the skills and technology that are essential for thriving amid rapid change. We will talk about how AI and advanced analytics are redefining risk management, and how specialty skills alone no longer suffice. I wanted to share my thoughts on this with you.
I believe that “meta-skills”—those high-level, adaptable abilities that help us navigate uncertainty, build trust, and think holistically will be essential for tomorrow’s risk managers. Insights from experts in psychology, technology ethics, and beyond show just how crucial these skills are in an AI-powered world. Here’s what stood out to me:
1. Adaptability: Navigating Uncertainty with Agility
AI-driven automation enables faster, more accurate risk assessments, but effective risk management requires adaptability in leveraging these advancements and responding to new risks. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, known for his work on decision-making and author of Thinking, Fast and Slow, emphasizes that in complex, fast-evolving environments, an adaptable mindset is essential for sound judgment.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Building Trust in a Tech-Driven Field
With AI increasingly handling repetitive tasks, the human aspect of risk management becomes more central. Emotional intelligence (EI) helps risk managers foster trust, enhance collaboration, and exercise sound judgment. Daniel Goleman, who popularized EI with his book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, argues that self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills are essential in high-pressure roles. Clinical psychologist Dr. Susan David adds that “emotional agility”—the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively—is crucial in complex environments. In Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life, David explains that emotional agility allows professionals to navigate pressures with clarity and resilience, an invaluable skill for risk managers guiding teams through AI-driven transformations.
3. Lifelong Learning: Staying Current in an AI-Powered Field
The rapid pace of AI advancements and regulatory updates calls for a commitment to lifelong learning. Harvard’s David Perkins advocates for “learning to learn,” a mindset he describes in Outsmarting IQ: The Emerging Science of Learnable Intelligence as essential in knowledge-driven fields. Organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the American Bankers Association (ABA) now integrate continuous learning principles into their certification programs, recognizing that staying current with technical skills and AI tools is only part of the equation. For risk managers, lifelong learning enables them to keep pace with new threats and technologies, maintaining their effectiveness in a dynamic environment.
4. Ethical Reasoning: Addressing the Complexities of AI
AI-powered tools provide unprecedented speed and accuracy in risk analysis, but they also introduce ethical challenges related to privacy, bias, and accountability. Dr. Shannon Vallor, a philosopher of technology and author of Technology and the Virtues: A Philosophical Guide to a Future Worth Wanting, argues that professionals need a strong ethical framework to responsibly use AI. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a noted bioethicist, also emphasizes the importance of ethical reasoning, particularly in healthcare. In Reinventing American Health Care, he highlights how AI-driven systems demand nuanced ethical consideration. For risk managers, ethical reasoning is essential for addressing potential biases and maintaining the trust of clients and stakeholders in AI-driven assessments.
5. Systems Thinking: Understanding the Bigger Picture in Risk
With AI creating ripple effects across organizations, systems thinking—the ability to see interconnected relationships—has become indispensable in risk management. Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline, describes systems thinking as essential for understanding complex environments and anticipating long-term impacts. Many professional certifications now include modules on systems-based practice, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective in risk management. For risk managers, systems thinking allows for strategies that address interconnected risks, from supply chain vulnerabilities to compliance issues, thereby supporting more comprehensive risk management.
Embracing Meta-Skills: The Future of Risk Management
In the AI-driven world, risk managers who cultivate adaptability, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, and systems thinking are poised not only to manage today’s challenges but also to shape the future of risk management. By investing in these meta-skills, risk managers can lead their teams through technological shifts and ensure they remain a vital human component in a high-tech world.
As AI continues to reshape the risk management field, the most successful leaders will be those who prioritize human-centered skills alongside technological acumen. Invest in developing these meta-skills—adaptability, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, and systems thinking—not just for personal growth, but to drive meaningful change in your organization. Let’s future-proof our roles and redefine risk management in the era of AI. Ready to take the next step?
Let’s connect and share insights on cultivating these essential skills.