On this episode of Scouting For Growth, Sabine VdL sits down with Carolina Klint, Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer for Continental Europe at Marsh McLennan, to unpack the latest World Economic Forum Global Risks Report—and why it should be required reading for every executive, board member, and risk leader right now. This conversation goes far beyond a report summary. It’s about how leaders can rethink risk, resilience, and decision-making in a world where uncertainty is no longer the exception—it’s the operating environment. Why the Global Risks Report matters now Carolina’s mission in championing the report is clear: to keep risk and resilience firmly on the agenda of global leaders. Today’s business environment is not just complex—it’s layered. Risks are increasingly interconnected, cascading across geopolitics, climate, technology, society, and economics. The Global Risks Report offers a starting point to make sense of that complexity, helping leaders see how short-term shocks and long-term structural risks collide. The uncomfortable truth about risk planning Most organisations have solid risk processes. They build risk registers, run scenarios, and stress-test strategies. Yet, as Carolina points out, it’s still rare for companies to correctly anticipate the risks that actually hit them. Why? Because humans are wired to focus on what’s directly in front of us. Immediate pressures crowd out long-term thinking—exactly when long-horizon risks are becoming more consequential. The report’s value lies in its multi-time-horizon view, comparing current perceptions of risk with outlooks over two and ten years. That contrast forces uncomfortable but necessary conversations in the boardroom. Culture beats checklists One of the strongest messages in this episode: resilience doesn’t come from a better spreadsheet. Companies that perform best in crises are those that connect people, risk, and strategy—and cultivate a culture of awareness and ownership. When leaders and employees are empowered to act, adapt, and collaborate under pressure, outcomes improve regardless of which risk materialises. Risk awareness, Carolina argues, is not about predicting the future perfectly. It’s about being prepared to respond intelligently when plans inevitably collide with reality. Collaboration is no longer optional In a fragmented, volatile environment, no organisation can manage systemic risk alone. Carolina stresses the importance of collaboration—across functions, industries, and ecosystems—to build sustainable business models. That’s why the Global Risks Report resonates so strongly: it reflects a collective view of the world, not a single-company perspective. Why risk leaders secretly love January Carolina shares a lighter moment too: for anyone working in risk and resilience, the release of the Global Risks Report feels like “Christmas morning as a five-year-old.” Not because the findings are cheerful—but because they create a shared language for critical conversations leaders must have. Why this episode matters For executives, insurers, and board members, this episode is a timely reminder that: Risks today are interconnected and layered Long-term horizons matter more than ever Culture and empowerment outperform rigid plans Resilience is built by connecting people, risk, and strategy Collaboration is essential for sustainable growth Or, as Carolina puts it with refreshing honesty: everyone has a plan—until reality punches back. This episode helps leaders prepare for that moment.