Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1616 - Why Most Organizations Solve the Wrong Problem: Rethinking Risk, Strategy & Leadership

About this episode

This episode features Chris McBryan discussing how organizations often misidentify problems and the importance of addressing root causes in risk management and leadership.

What if the biggest risk facing your organization… isn’t what you think it is? On this episode, I sit down with Chris McBryan — a 35-year veteran of the RCMP specializing in covert operations and complex investigations — to challenge how organizations define and solve problems. His core insight is simple but powerful: most organizations focus on symptoms, not root causes. We dive into his five-question framework for redefining problems (inspired by Albert Einstein), why containment strategies often fail in both policing and business, and how global fraud, cybercrime, and hybrid threats are reshaping the risk landscape. Chris introduces the concept of “asymmetrical problem-solving” — targeting weak points instead of attacking strength — and explains why breaking down silos between legal, finance, and compliance is essential for real progress. We also explore what leadership truly demands: not just process, but judgment. This episode is a masterclass in thinking differently about risk, decision-making, and how to solve the problems that actually matter.

People in this episode

Host: Brian Crombie

Guest: Chris McBryan

Topics covered

• risk management
• organizational strategy
• leadership
• problem-solving
• cybercrime
• fraud

Keywords

• risk
• strategy
• leadership
• problem-solving
• cybercrime
• fraud
• asymmetrical problem-solving
• decision-making

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RCMP

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