031 | Getting to the Heart of Risk: A Systems Approach to Upgrading Your Decision-Making Confidence

When you hear the word risk, do you immediately think danger, loss, or threat?

In this episode, we flip the script and take a deep dive into the real meaning of risk—and how your perception of it is silently influencing your decisions, leadership, energy, and opportunities. Using a systems thinking lens, Dr. Denaige McDonnell walks you through a powerful reframe of risk as neutral data, not emotional drama—and explains why understanding your personal risk lens is one of the most strategic moves you can make.

Whether you're managing a business, a family, a big decision, or your own mental bandwidth—this episode will give you the tools to stop spinning and start leading.

🔑 In this episode:

• What risk actually is (and what it isn’t)

• Why upside risk matters just as much as downside risk

• The 5 truths about risk no one teaches you

• How personal context and bias shape your risk tolerance

• A guided 5-step risk mapping exercise across 9 life domains

• How to use risk awareness to make more aligned decisions

• Why confidence and clarity start with perception, not planning

🛠️ Download the free tool:

Personal Risk Assessment Worksheet
→ emotionalorganization.com

→ https://www.equistry.com/store

🔁 Mentioned in this episode:

• 9 Life Domains: Health, Wealth, Relationships, Emotions, Mindset, Purpose, Passion, Contribution, Spirituality

• The difference between hazards and risks

• How to evaluate Likelihood x Impact using the Personal Risk Matrix

• The Risk Acceptability Scale: Acceptable, Tolerable, Undesirable, Intolerable

💬 If this episode resonated...

Share it with a friend, colleague, or client who’s feeling stuck in decision fatigue or leadership doubt.

And if you want deeper support with risk, systems, or clarity—reach out any time. This is the work I do.