Being A Risk Taker

                         

Peter Drucker said.."People who don't take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risk, make about two big mistakes a year."

In my professional life I have unfortunately witnessed many so called "leaders" who are unwilling to  take risk. Most people are much more comfortable with living the status quo. It's not always bad to be a non-risk taker and there is something to be said for those who are consistent, predictable and loyal employees and steady contributing members of society as a whole. Lord knows we need these people and quite frankly they make up more than 80% of our population. Organizations must have people who are dependable and willing to carry out the task. However, we don't need them in positions of leadership. 

Most people I know who have been granted the title of "leader" were people who were at one time, good at something i.e., accounting, maintenance, production worker, sales person, etc. Because of their performance excellence they were promoted by someone who needed a "leader" in the maintenance department, production line, sales department.  As wonderful as that might sound, many organizations have ruined individuals by taking them out of there previous job which they were so talented and placed them in situations that requires completely different skill sets, therefore setting them up for failure. As result they have frustrated the newly appointed promotee, have given him/her no honorable escape from the wrong decision and caused disappointment of the groups they were trying to improve. 

Among the many skills needed for an effective leaders, are that of "risk taker." 

The future is charging at us and our organizations at a rate of 60 seconds per minute. With the onslaught of technology and globalization, doing what we have always have done will put us behind quicker than we could ever imagine. Just yesterday, I heard of another large company in the U.S. moving 600 jobs to Honduras, to escape the pressure of unions, higher taxes (soak the rich mentality) and a complacent work force environment.

What every country, company, business, department desperately needs today is those who are willing to be risk takers, to avoid becoming another sad statistic.

Tragically, we have to many who prefer to "go along to get along" than to shake things up a bit for improvement. Risk has the potential for failure, but also the opportunity for high rewards. 

So what does a risk taker do? Glad you asked...

1. Be Bold!  This does not mean arrogant, but confident in expressing ideas and approaches. In a recent survey, Leaders were ask "What keeps leaders in your organization from being more bold?" 52% of the leaders cited "people don't like disruption and change" as the reason.

2. Be willing to do something different in their own lives that will stretch themselves out of their comfort zone.

3. Speak up. When you see injustice, wrong doing, processes that don't make sense, tell someone. Give your opinion for the solution, not just a complaint. We have enough critics in this world, we need those who will describe a better way.

4. Develop a formula or system for risk taking opportunities. Example:  Many years ago Gore-tex developed a culture that actively engaged and embraced almost every person of the company in decision making and risk by requiring that two questions be honestly answered with a YES before anyone took action on their ideas.

1. Is what you are wanting to do, good for Gore-tex?

2. If you're wrong, can we survive it? 

There is a lot of communication and nuances surrounding these two questions, and I'll be glad to share with you if you want to write me. But, IF you can answer yes, then you have freedom to do just about anything you want to do in the company. 

Warning!  Being a risk taker could bring some added grief along with challenges to your life. I know because as a bold risk taker who is constantly trying to move organizations and people in new directions, I have experienced "push back", criticism and resistance by many who are stuck in the status quo, or from organizational heads who are threatened by something they did not think of or initiate. Pride is a destructive thing.

So, here's the deal. If you have the title of leader (CEO, President, Supervisor, Department Head, Owner or whatever) consider some small, risk taking, initiative within your area of responsibility today. If possible, create a culture of engagement with your employees' to foster risk taking. Don't wait for the R&D department, or an innovation group to come up with ideas that will secure your future in a sometimes brutal but always exciting world. 

Take up the challenge. Take a risk!  Be a real leader!