Are you a good risk taker?
Are you a risk taker? What makes a good risk taker?
Why are some people more ready and able to take risks—perhaps present innovative ideas to management, or take that leap of faith to fulfil a dream? The standard answer one hears too often these days is that people who don’t take risks are afraid of failure—implying that those who do take risks, aren’t afraid. It’s not that simple. Not everyone is a natural risk taker.
The one factor that allows people to take chances is not freedom from fear, but confidence in their ability to recover if things go wrong —to bounce back and re-establish rapport.
Behind that confidence are the risk-takers’ belief that, firstly, they have the knowledge and skills to correct a mistake should it occur and, secondly, that they have the communication skills to regain the commitment of others should a problem arise.
Furthermore, they trust in the power this confidence has on themselves and on others. When they choose to take risks, they do it wholeheartedly, causing others to be confident along with them.
Being a risk taker takes courage but not for danger.
Of course, behind that confidence lies meticulous planning. Behind meticulous planning, lies meticulous research, including strategies for all those contingencies.
There is only one sure way not to succeed, and that is not to try.
Risk-takers establish a ‘fall-back’ position that keeps them from viewing the situation as a purely win-or-lose proposition. Those comfortable with taking risks don’t fear a ‘no’ answer to their ideas.
They consider it a means to getting the best possible decision at that time. In other words, they don’t hear ‘no’ and leave. They hear ‘no’ and negotiate.
There is no way to live a fulfilled life without taking risks.
Risk taking is being free
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. How do we know we can be a risk taker?
To reach out for another is to risk involvement. Risk taker or not, maybe try it.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss. A risk taker can find this seductive.
To love is to risk not being loved in return. There are more than one sort of risk taker.
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair. But not always.
To try is to risk failure. How do you feel about being a risk taker?
But risk must be taken
Because the greatest hazard to life is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing does nothing
and has nothing and is nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply
cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live
Chained to his certitudes, he is a slave,
he has forfeited his freedom
Only a person who risks is free
(Author unknown, but much appreciated)
What risks are you avoiding?
Think again about something you’d like to do which involves risk.
Instead of holding back and denying yourself the potential of success, focus on how you might recover should things not work out according to the ideal plan.
You’ll probably find the risk is worth taking, and you’ll be able to cope with changes.
I’d love to know what you think of what I’ve said here.
You can give me your feedback, ask a question by email or post a comment below.
If you or someone you know would like a personal consultation, please call +61 439 969 081.
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