When I think about RISK, I immediately get flashbacks in my own career. I think early on, I was terrified to take risks. Fortunately, at a time when there were few women role models, I had some men mentors that were great risk-takers. Overtime with their encouragement, I had an opportunity to jump off a few big cliffs and feel the thrill of sprouting wings. I don't think I went around looking for RISK, but those early "flying lessons" have been most helpful in taking other more substantial risks---risks that truly were life-changing and career-changing.
One time, I was facilitating a leadership session with a group of men and women leaders at a major company. There was a deep discussion on taking risks and the corresponding reality of being accountable for them. Both men and women seemed to be fearful not of the RISK, but of the consequences. One of the women leaders spoke up. "C'mon," she said. "Think about it. When you've taken a RISK, haven't those been the best moments in your life and in your career." I remember there were a lot of people having "flashbacks," smiling, remembering the joy of "risky flight" even when it required accepting some painful consequences.
Lessons Learned:
Here are a few ideas that have worked over the years for me:
1. Inaction is often a greater risk than taking action. In the words of Anais Nin, "One day the risk of staying tight in the bud was greater than the risk to blossom."
2. Take wise risks. Think through the implications, both favorable and unfavorable, that might occur if you take the risk. Weigh them. Listen to what your intuition tells you and act on it.
3. There is a magic in believing. The biggest risks are often the most rewarding if you truly believe you can do it. See yourself successful and then step into the success one positive action at a time. Doubt and disbelief sabotage success every time.
What about YOU? Since RISK is a challenge for most of us as women leaders at least in some way, how do you handle risks when they come up in your path? What do you fear about taking risks?
Share your thoughts. (There's a risk right there. Will you write me back? :-)
Warm regards,
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
Home of Women in the Lead
Twitter: @debbekennedy
Author...
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ May 2008 – Hardcover
Foreword by Joel A. Barker, futurist, filmmaker and author
Paradigms: The Business of Discovering the Future
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Buy a Copy at Amazon.com
YouTube Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
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