While many organizations have dedicated chief risk officers (CROs), all leaders must be prepared to navigate potential threats to their business. This is especially true now as geopolitical uncertainties—including a looming August 1 deadline for new tariffs—and a host of technological and societal shifts are putting increased pressure on organizations to operate with more agility and resilience. Other executives can take lessons from how CROs approach risk issues and help their companies thrive in a disruption-filled business environment. This week, we look at the most common habits of highly successful CROs, which can be instructive for leaders of all types.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?

Just as the business of personal matchmaking continues to grow, it’s increasingly important for organizations and leaders to find their ideal match—especially when it comes to risk. McKinsey’s Cristina Catania, Ida Kristensen, Marc Chiapolino, and Tijana Trkulja have identified three common CRO archetypes, which can illuminate whether risk leaders are well suited to meet their companies’ needs. These archetypes are the “architect,” who aims to strengthen the risk function for the next generation; the “protector,” who seeks to create a highly responsive risk organization that can handle any challenge; and the “business accelerator,” who focuses on generating business growth and profitability while fending off risks. “Examining these archetypes can help CROs better understand their innate inclinations—and help them identify conditions under which they could benefit from altering their archetype to deal with shifting circumstances,” the authors say.

Lead by strengthening your risk management muscle.