To Tattoo or Not Tattoo - That is a Risk Question

As a seasoned risk professional with over 30 years of experience, I found myself deep in a thought-provoking conversation with my nearly 18-year-old daughter. Our topic of discussion? Tattoos.

As we talked about the pros and cons together, it dawned upon me: the dialogue between us mirrors the nuanced debates I often encounter in the corporate world. From personal ink to professional decisions, understanding risk is fundamental. Managing risk can come later if that’s what’s wanted or needed, but I urge you, don’t rush into decisions without thinking and curiosity. Diseases and cars kill cats, not curiosity.

As I delved into this conversation with my daughter, we dissected the risks and rewards associated with getting a tattoo. From potential health implications to societal perceptions, each facet resembles the complex nature of risk within corporate environments. Much like scrutinising risks in the boardroom, we find ourselves evaluating the permanence and implications of body art. The thinking is exactly the same.

It became evident that the discourse surrounding tattoos isn't isolated; it mirrors the emotional debates frequently encountered in professional settings. Whether navigating a controversial strategy or deliberating on a pivotal business move, emotions and perceptions come into play. Like the structured dialogue I had with my daughter, these discussions are opportunities for understanding and context.

Many individuals, especially parents seem to grapple with perceived risks of tattoos, worrying about how body art may impact professional image or relationships. Concerns about societal judgment and potential regret weigh heavily on their minds. However, they see it mostly from their own perspective. However, beneath these perceived risks lie tangible health concerns associated with tattooing. From infections to skin reactions, the risks are real and demand careful consideration. Ultimately, individuals must weigh both the perceived and real risks when contemplating getting a tattoo. After all, it is fairly permanent apart from cover-ups and removal.

Rather than shut this whole topic down with some outdated, over-reaction, my approach was to learn more together, ask more question – get my daughter to think. We looked at designs together, talked about position, their meaning and her reasons for wanting one. We bought tickets and attended the Tattoo Exhibition at the ICC Sydney. We met with and spoke to, many tattoo artists, watched people having tattoos on the day and picked up some non-permanent stickers and designs to test out.

My daughter and I arrived at a mutual understanding: tattoos, much like business decisions, require thoughtful consideration, not knee-jerk reactions. The key takeaway from our discussion was that we don’t have all the answers yet. Maybe we never will, and there will always be risk, and that’s perfectly ok. Equally, given our age, gender, upbringings, environment, and many other factors mean we perceive risks and benefits in entirely different ways. What matters is the respectful discourse leading to better understanding.

And sometimes you just have to respect things like:

“Dad you’re too old and boring to understand” or “my mates all have them” or “I’ll be 18 in a week and you can’t do anything to stop me”. These are as valid as any other reason. As the Beastie boys once sang, “you have to fight for the right to party”.

Anyone that knows me and my amazing daughter will know that we’re close, we have a great relationship and she’s more than capable of making her own decisions. I’ll take getting her to think things through as a win. ?I believe risk practitioners could benefit from the same approach when talking to business people. Life isn’t a number or rating on a spreadsheet that rolls up to the Board as a weighted average risk rating to tick some compliance box. It’s a moving feast, requires curiosity and needs much more fluid discourse.

So, the next time a divisive topic arises at work, remember: to tattoo or not to tattoo? It's all a question of risk.

#riskmanagement #decisionmaking #tattoos #communication #leadership