Leading is a difficult challenge, and leading takes many different forms, but I feel that there are a few traits common to most leaders. One of those is the art of taking a risk!

As Leo F. Buscaglia once famously said… “The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.”

Risk-taking is not a new thing, for we all take calculated risks on a daily basis; however, some do more than others! Also, some people do not make calculated risks (with little to no pre-planning), for they sometimes just wing it, and that does not always end up desirable! In today’s face-paced world, time is of the essence, and those who can make a confident decision and act upon it tend to get rewarded more than those who wait and wait until all of the facts come out.

Here are a few examples: First, think about the successful technology companies out there like Microsoft and Google. Do you see them waiting until they have all of the pieces together before launching something? Or do you see them risk it and push out a solid product that they will continue to improve as required? Second, think about the first time you tried something new at a restaurant. I have recently tried sushi and vegan entrees for the first time in my life; talk about a small but important risk. As a result, I now know what new things I like and dislike! Third, have you ever decided to ride that roller coaster or skydive from an airplane? Those are both risks, but many see great rewards in each – I certainly do! Lastly, have you ever seen the guy that sees the girl across the bar and never approaches? He was acting very risk-averse – afraid of rejection. Imagine what could have been if he just risked a little and stepped out on that limb! The possibilities and opportunities are endless!

Chris Widener notes that “Most people are risk averse. Not the leader!” Furthermore, Chris asks the following: “Are you known as a person who is willing to take risks? If so, you will become an extraordinary leader!”

So, should you just take every risk that comes to mind? Probably not. Instead, I feel that you should assess all of your options and take those risks that you feel will bring you closer to achieving your ultimate goals. I try to do just that and encourage everyone else to strive to do the same! If you want something or someone, go for it! A little pre-planning and thought will also go a long way, but, at the end of the day, you cannot climb the challenging wall without first taking that risk! Be a leader and take the calculated risk, for you may just surprise yourself and even a few others!

Whether in the world of business or in the world of personal challenges, we cannot allow fear to own and control our every move. According to Sven Goran Eriksson, “the greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” To succeed, we must take risks, but we also cannot simply take risks so foolishly. Instead, we should plan and prepare accordingly, and then we can take those appropriate risks! As I mentioned in my last blog, I like to challenge myself and take a chance! I do not mind trying new things. In doing so, I am becoming a better person, discovering great new things along my journey. Also, we cannot simply give up. There are occasions where you may endure a setback or possibly fail, but you must not quite. Sometimes, we just have to get back up and try again. Other times, it might be best to reevaluate and just try another route.

In 2008, I was looking to try a new adventure, and, as a thrill seeker, I found skydiving to be my next challenge. Sure, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at approximately 10,000 feet can be a bit scary, but I did not jump unprepared. Instead, I researched about the sport of skydiving, and then I acquainted myself with the equipment that was going to allow me to safely perform this thrill! In addition, I followed the safety guidelines of the USPA and absorbed the necessary knowledge from the skydiving instructors. In the summer of 2008, I completed my first jump in Saginaw, Michigan. I then went on to jump three more times that summer, each time learning from the previous experiences. Below is a video of my third jump. While I had jumped twice before this video, this was the first time jumping out of the Cessna 206. As you may be able to see, I tumbled a little bit while exiting the plane, a mistake that I corrected on my fourth jump. Also, I miscalculated my landing, slowing my parachute down a little early - hence the harder than normal landing. Each time, I learned and then improved from mistakes’ lessons.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYyCJJhs3s

We cannot allow fear to get in the way. With proper training, guidance, and knowledge, anything is possible, and we must always remember that! Set S.M.A.R.T. goals! Make them specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Do not be afraid to fail; instead, we must maintain motivation, continuously learn on the fly and as the environment changes, and enjoy the journey!

Like the Old Proverb says… Where there’s a will, there’s a way! So, maintain your will, find a way, and do not be afraid to fail!

Too often, we are content with what we currently have, and we tend not to welcome change. This occurs both within our personal lives and certainly within the business world. Too often, we are left behind when we do not look to new adventures and social trends. Of course, there are numerous examples of this within our very lives. Personally, I have never tried tofu. As a proud meat and potatoes kind of guy, I have never taken the liberty of ordering some, but that all changed last evening. I tried blackened and barbequed tofu with rice; even though I favored the barbeque-seasoned tofu, I liked both! Was it a risk? Sure! But, it is a good risk, and I am willing to try almost anything new for the sake of knowing what I truly enjoy and refining who I am as a person! As a result of me embracing this opportunity, I have gained a taste for a new food, something that I know for future reference (one more great option to pick from)! Take another example like social media! It has helped us connect in ways that many of us have never imagined. For some, it helped reconnect with lost friends. For others, it helped reach a new niche market and gain increased revenues and new loyal customers. Many people have shied away from this newer technology and social phenomenon. For those who decided to embrace it, great things have occurred. Certainly, it is not the universal answer, but it opens up great and new doors – new opportunities!

No matter what part of life you focus on, there are changes just waiting to be made. These are not just the ridiculous or irrational changes, for there are numerous others as well. Do you need to take every turn in the roadway? No, but we also should not be unwilling to make promising changes in any part of our lives! Letting such opportunities, both business and personal, pass us by simply pushes us further away from achieving our optimal greatness! While some changes may be mistakes, avoiding all types of change (and hence opportunity) would unfortunately be the greatest mistake. Hence, we should embrace change and get a head start on our competition. Make the best of life and write your own future instead of simply following someone else’s plan.