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To Have A Great Career, Be A Risk Taker

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At every crossroad in life there is risk of one kind or another. If you choose one road, there is the risk associated with the road not taken. It’s hard not to wonder “what if?” But the women I know who have high-responsibility leadership positions are all risk-takers. They would tell you that taking calculated chances helped them stand out and branded them as forward thinking and visionary.

Some truths about risk-taking

Here’s a close-up on risk based on my experiences in the marketplace:

Being risk-averse carries, well, risk. Risk-averse people often see themselves as deliberate, cautious, responsible, and thoughtful. Yet, others may see them as being reserved, lacking courage and belief in themselves, and less than inspirational—the very traits that can poison your ability to achieve more powerful roles in your career.

Risk-taking can be practiced. The more you practice taking risks, the more comfortable you will become with the emotional discomfort that can accompany it. I have a friend who, for years, has made a practice of doing something every day that takes her out of her comfort zone. These activities range from cold-calling a prospective client with a daring new proposal to skydiving!

Risk-taking can be vetted. When you take a risk, you are giving up some comfort in the short term for a potential long-term gain. It helps to make a list of the pros and cons on a piece of paper. Put the pros in one column and the cons in the other. Typically, one list will jump out as the right course of action.