3 Reasons Leaders Need To Take Risks

Management loves to play it safe. Systems are in place to keep the machine running effectively and efficiently.

Leaders don’t have this luxury. They’re heading into the unknown. No, wait… You’re heading into the unknown.

Risk Graffitti

Image by A Syn

Real leaders, not managers, are looking for the next breakthrough. Keeping an eye out for the next mountain to summit.

Think about major league sports. A lot of it’s played safe until it’s crunch time. Then the team leader has to make a choice.

Do they take easy score or do they go for the risky extra point?

Your leadership will require you to take risks.

Leaders head into the unknown

There’s always the risk that there are unknown unknowns.
— Nate Silver

As you move towards your goals and purpose, the road will get cloudy. Situations you didn’t foresee will arise. You won’t know what the next step will be.

It’s risky at times but you know what needs to be done. And where your team needs to go.

But you must be willing to step forward into the unknown. Forward movement is required.

Leaders don’t have all the answers

If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.
— Erica Jong

You don’t have all the answers. That’s the simple truth. Neither do I.

We can have all the information we can consume. We can gather our answers this way.

However, there will be situations that arise where the answers aren’t in the books. They haven’t been experienced yet or you haven’t read the right book.

You’ll have to risk being wrong to advance the team.

It’s okay though. If you’re wrong, you can recover and take another stab at it. Just know you’ll have to risk being wrong to lead.

Leaders are forward thinkers

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.
— Jim Rohn

Leaders are doing things that have never been done before. There’s no precedent on whether or not it can be done. Just a belief that it can be accomplished.

This brings no guarantee.

Sure, you may have some idea that it will succeed but it’s not in the bag. You’ve still got to risk failure.

Take the risk

It is better to risk starving to death then surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what’s left?
— Jim Carrey

In the end, it all comes down to whether or not you’re willing to take the risk.

Will you take the chance at great success? Or are you happy with moderate success that doesn’t change anything?

You’re the one who will have to decide whether or not to take  the change. No one else can make the decision for you.

I hope you’re willing to take the risk.

Question: What risk have you been unwilling to take? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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