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Risk Appetite vs Risk Tolerance | Grit in the Boardroom

July 09, 2026 / 00:45

This episode discusses risk appetite and risk tolerance, focusing on their definitions and implications in business contexts. Key topics include the difference between risk events and consequences, as well as the concept of combinatorial risk.

The conversation highlights how risk appetite refers to the level of risk an individual or organization is willing to take, while risk tolerance is about the capacity to endure that risk if it occurs. The discussion emphasizes that understanding consequences is crucial when evaluating risk.

Examples such as airline accidents illustrate that failures are rarely due to a single cause; instead, they often result from multiple factors interacting. This perspective encourages listeners to rethink how they approach risk management.

TLDR

Understanding risk appetite and tolerance is crucial for effective risk management in business.

Episode

0:45
00:00:00
Risk appetite is about the risk [music] that we are prepared to take on. Risk tolerance is our ability to withstand
00:00:05
that risk if that materializes. When people are thinking about risk tolerance, they often think about
00:00:11
events. And and that again can lead to [music] the wrong conclusion because what you
00:00:17
really want to think about are consequences. So, a number of different events could cause the same consequence.
00:00:23
And often, I think if you look at, you know, generally when things are challenging [music] in a business, it's
00:00:28
usually not one thing. It's usually, you know, a number of things combining like
00:00:32
the airline accident. You know, it's very seldom one single cause of failure. It's usually combinatorial risk rather
00:00:37
than singular risk.

Episode Highlights

  • Understanding Risk Tolerance
    Risk tolerance is our ability to withstand potential risks and their consequences.
    “Risk tolerance is our ability to withstand that risk if that materializes.”
    @ 00m 03s
    July 09, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • It's usually combinatorial risk rather than singular risk.
    Risk Appetite vs Risk Tolerance | Grit in the Boardroom

Key Moments

  • Challenging Business Environment00:27
  • Combinatorial Risk00:37