[Rap]

So here is a general question. Obviously I don't know what most of you do for a living. I was playing golf at a political fundraiser, I'm neither a politician or fundraiser and don't do these for the most part, unless I need to. So one member of the foursome is a University President. Successful, sharper than a tack and an economist by trade. Interesting background for his position. So we are talking and I mention I have a 968 and am doing some DEing and he tells me he has a 914 and used to race himself. Surprised the heck out of me. Also reminded me that it's stupid to make assumptions about people. Unless of course your willing to be wrong a lot! So his racing was really going out on a track and being timed. He asked me if I was doing the same thing. I explained what I participated in and he said, you mean wheel to wheel? So I explained that it wasn't racing per se but cars were around you and passed you on certain designated sections with rules on passing. His comment was don't you think that's dangerous. His real comment meant don't you think that's dangerous for a person in your position. Look at the Clearbrook ad to see what I mean! Now I was also playing with my Chairman who thinks its sort of cool and doesn't have a problem with it. So, the question is, should a person in a upper management position engage in potentially dangerous activities which may put a company in a bad position if someone is injured, disabled or dies. Don't use the answer that you could get hit by a truck crossing the street or any similar answers. Much to easy.

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[Cloud9...68]

Well, it's difficult to answer the question without comparing what you're doing (DE'ing) to other things (like getting hit by a truck). I'm sure there are statistics on the injury rates of DE participants. I would look that up, and compare it to other hobbies. My guess it's on a "par" (so very sorry...) with playing a round of golf.

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[tamathumper]

Well I guess we'd better not use Richard Branson as an example in the argument, eh?



As a general rule, I want leaders in my companies who take responsible risks, ALL THE TIME. There is no reward without risk...!



And what's the alternative, a bunch of lard-assed namby pambies?

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[Rap]

Well yes Cloud you could be struck by a ball or lightening! Acceptable risks I agree with but what's the definition of acceptable? Or risk for that matter? Certainly from what I've read many companies just sort of accept this behavior by executives. I'm in a small company, anybody in a large one? What's there policy?

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[flash]

don't sweat the golden beebee

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[Rap]

Beebee equal kidney stone? I'm not, it's really just food for thought. Thought I would see what others might come up with. His comment just caught my attention. Of course he is an educator and no doubt is influenced in his thought proces by that. An economist also would weigh and factor risk in that assessment. I'm neither! Part of the attraction is that tinge of risk. Acceptable though!

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[Cloud9...68]

Funny, I feel safer on the track than I do on the street.

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[ds968]

I am a Chief Risk Officer for a multi-billion dollar international company and just look at my " habits ", driving or otherwise.. Calculated risks are perfectly fine provided you use the " reasonable man " rule.. If you deliberately get drunk and decide to shoot a few rounds off your 9mm out the window while driving 150 mph in a school zone, yes, you will violate the conduct expectations of a senior management exec which can be perceived to go hand in hand with your fiduciary duties to the company ( sound judgment is contemplated therein ), but short of that I don't think you should be concerned..

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[flash]

golden beebee - see air america

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[Rap]

DS that's what I was looking for. Thanks. Course your a soccer fanatic so risk is part of your routine! Lol

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[craigawoodman]

If this is a real issue, then the company can take insurance out on you. Sorry, but we are only here for a short time and what you do in your own time should not be impacted by what you do for work (assuming what you are doing is legal and not morally frowned upon). How many executives fly planes, skydive, ride motorbikes, snow ski, jet ski, in America go hunting with high powered weapons, etc, etc. All of these could be classed as high risk (well driving through some neighbourhood would be high risk compared to Australia).



If you went to Germany and drove in the autobahn - is this a high risk?



Normally to be an "executive" we are either in the process of, or have left our youth behinds us a bit. We are normally at a high risk of medical issues (cancer, heart attack or stroke) than dying from one of our sports (those of you who think philandering is a sport - might be at more risk). Get a regular check-up, do a bit of non-strenuous exercise and enjoy life - a bit of racing is probably good for you.



I think a 20 year old girlfriend would be more of an issue to your health than driving a 968 in DE events.

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[tamathumper]

I think a 20 year old girlfriend would be more of an issue to your health than driving a 968 in DE events.

Yes, especially if you mean mental health...





ds968's comment seemed more geared towards acceptable conduct and a stain you might place on the organization, whereas I thought your original question was regarding succession planning and what might happen to your company with your sudden demise. I'm a Director of one global multi-billion-dollar company, and on the BOD of another, and aside from policies that limit how many of us are allowed on a flight at a given time, I would observe that most of our executives have risky pastimes such as rock climbing, spirited driving, sports, etc.



I don't (personally) place hunting or high-powered weapons on the risky list, as the number of incidents during hunting pales in comparison to the risk of driving to work in the morning, at least in the U.S. Come to think of it, an employee told me last week a friend of his went to sit down in his chair at the office, and the wheels made it skid backwards and he fell and hit the back of his head and died. So, in my (personal and direct) experience, hunting = 0, office chair = 1. I do understand if people think firearms are risky, though. Just like office chairs, if handled improperly they can cause injury or death.

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='ds968' timestamp='1345775442' post='131521']

If you deliberately get drunk and decide to shoot a few rounds off your 9mm out the window while driving 150 mph in a school zone, ..

[/quote]



huh, I call that Wednesday.

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[968Syncro]

It seems that the most common cause of upper management "death" or "injury" is from sexual / financial misconduct, incompetence, or general lack of political skills. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



On the other hand, here is some interesting data on "cause of death" (as always be careful with statistics, some are older data, some are categorized in ways that are unclear).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cau...th_by_rate

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm/

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/t...s-of-death



Take a look at this 3rd link above, and click on "Motor Vehicle Death Rate" in the bottom left, or http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/m...death-rate - some very interesting data.



Roland

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[tamathumper]

$@!# iPad doesn't have flash so I can't see the graphs.

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[craigawoodman]

I think to make it to an executive level it takes a reasonable level of balanced risk taking, so non-sponsored competitive motorsport should be a reasonable level of risk. Sky-diving, I am not so sure about.

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[flash]

this is the kind of thing that is in partnership agreements, or employment contracts. employers and partners cannot restrict you or penalize you for your personal activity without such an agreement. this gives you the opportunity to negotiate that agreement, and establish terms that are satisfactory to you.

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[Chris Vais]

"Sky-diving, I am not so sure about."

[color="#282828"]I never could figure out why anyone would willingly jump out of a perfectly serviceable airplane. Or for that matter bungee jumping, the thrill of suicide with the commitment.[/color]

[color="#282828"]I think that if you are employed at the executive level, and the company has some concerns about track driving or any other dangerous activity you might be temped to engage in the place to do it would be in an employment contract.[/color]

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[Rap]

This is why I asked the question. I never thought about dealing with it in a employment contract. That is a great suggestion. Of course amending a contract would need to be done at renewal or if it became an issue. This could of course open the issue of putting life style behavior In the contract, instead of just dealing with one issue. Sort of opening a pandoras box. Better to ask forgiveness than beg permission! Or better yet, keep your personal life compartmentalized. Nobodies biz. As best as one can do in this postion where people need to know where you are not necessarily what you are doing! When I visited Bob he saw me on the phone because access is necessary with this position regardless of where I am. Thanks guys this is great food for thought. Again not currently a problem or even one on the horizon.

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[AJG]

I feel safe in my car as well, especially while hurling verbal abuse at the wife. Driving past her at 60mph I can say what i like.

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