Considering that play is central to developing imagination, agility, creativity, resourcefulness, adaptability, and innovative capabilities, why would we want to limit it?
About a 20-minute walk from GrECo Center in Vienna is an intriguing children’s playground called Robinson Island. Promoted as a natural playground for adventurous kids, it starkly contrasts typical playgrounds found in metropolitan areas. There are no padded surfaces or detailed safety guidelines. The playground features a small lake, numerous trees for climbing, fire pits, and uneven terrain, incorporating risk into its core design. This concept, along with many similar playgrounds in the Western world, counters the trend that began in the 1970s and 1980s focusing on making children’s outdoor play safe, to prevent scratches and bruises. Considering that play is central to developing imagination, agility, creativity, resourcefulness, adaptability, and innovative capabilities, why would we want to limit it?
Jovana Pavlović Radovanović, Digital Learning Design Manager, and Tamara Ilijević, Learning Content Producer, at GrECo Tech Hub, explore the significance of fostering a learning culture within organisations to navigate the complexities of a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) world.
What does children’s play teach us about risk and innovation in business?
Shifting our perspective to business, there are two frameworks we use today to describe contemporary challenges: VUCA and BANI. VUCA, introduced in the 1980s, stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. BANI, introduced more recently in the 2020s post-COVID pandemic, describes our world as Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. Confronting the brittleness and incomprehensibility of the world heightens personal and organisational anxiety, fostering fear and often a more passive approach leading to risk avoidance and “playing it safe.” But a VUCA or BANI world is inherently unsafe – it’s uncertain, complex, brittle, and incomprehensible. So, how do we navigate such a world?
By doing what humans excel at: adapting!
Just as children on Robinson Island boldly venture out to play—not to acquire scratches and bruises but to learn to navigate a risky playground—we, too, should embrace exploration for growth and adaptation. When children play and expose themselves to manageable risks, they learn invaluable lessons about risk assessment, problem-solving, resilience, and creativity. Similarly, in business, employees grow most when they are allowed to take calculated risks. This controlled risk-taking helps us build resilience and confidence, fostering a culture of continuous innovation and improvement.
The role of learning in a company striving to adapt to contemporary challenges
Creating a learning culture is about stimulating curiosity and encouraging everyone to share their knowledge. It’s like being at a big, adventurous playground in a group where each member is eager to explore new paths and discover new solutions. This culture empowers us to take ownership of our professional growth, leading to innovative ideas and adaptive strategies
The benefits of continuous learning and adaptation
Continuous learning is crucial
In our rapidly evolving industry, continuous learning is not just beneficial; it’s essential. Think of it as the tree we’re climbing together. Each branch represents new knowledge, skills, and innovations that help us navigate and manage risks more effectively. Instead of seeing learning as a series of isolated courses or workshops, we should integrate it into our daily routine. Just like playing in childhood, in adulthood it is learning that is a door-opener for growth and improvement.
As you move forward, ask yourself: How can you foster a learning culture within your organisation? What steps can you take to embrace uncertainty and turn it into an opportunity for growth?
HORIZON Risk Thought >> Fast Forward
The complexity of today´s risk environment is changing at an accelerating pace, making risk management even more challenging. We have created HORIZON, firstly as a print publication and now as a page for sharing the latest insights about ongoing transformations. Our risk specialists will continue to provide their expertise and knowledge to shine a light on the challenges of the future.
Jovana Pavlović Radovanović
Digital Learning Design Manager
GrECo Tech Hub
T +381600638170
Tamara Ilijević
Learning Content Producer
GrECo Tech Hub
T +381 60 0638197
