Tag Archives: risk

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How To Properly Assess A Risk

Everyone faces risk. In fact, you face a plethora of risks day in and day out. You probably don’t even realize the risks you face.

There are risks that you can easily assess. Crossing the road, navigating your car, or going into work.

Tiny risks, yes. But risks none the less. And you take them on without a care.

Then there are higher consequence risks. The risks that makes you wonder. The risks you wonder how to properly assess them.

In his book, Take The Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk, Ben Carson lays out the foundation for making wise choices when it comes to facing risk.

The BWA

Carson uses a system called the BWA, or Best/Worst Assessment. The BWA is a system you can use to decide whether or not to take a risk.  Read more...

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Exploring New Territories Without Overstepping Our Boundaries

Within every great leader there is the desire to expand his and explore new territories. There’s something about leadership that draws leaders towards growing their sphere of influence.

However, if a leader is not careful, he can easily overstep his boundaries. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Boundaries are there for a reason

Image by Jenny Downing

Will you raise your hand if you want to expand your level of influence? Check! I see that hand go up.

Will you raise your hand if you want to move into new areas of leadership (New territories)? Check. I see that hand as well.

I know, as leaders, we’re always looking for new ways to grow our influence and enter into new territories. This can be difficult, especially if we’re not the main leader of an organization.

Do you get what I’m talking about?  Read more...

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The Thrill Of The Plunge

During my whitewater rafting trip, I had the opportunity to take a plunge. Literally, off the side of a cliff.

The plunge was scary. The height from which we jumped seemed like it may shatter a bone.

Yet after I jumped off of the ledge, it was thrilling. There was a sense of freedom knowing I was able to plunge 40 feet and come out unscathed.

How similar is this to our leadership journey?

The decision to climb up the cliff was mine. No one forced me or coerced me. I willingly made the journey to a spot I knew would be difficult.

Our path into leadership starts the same way. We make a choice to begin leading. We take the responsibility of leadership and we walk with it.  Read more...

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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.  Read more...

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It’s Time To Jump

Your leadership journey will bring you to places you’ve never imagined. Choices will be placed in front of you. And you’ll have to make decisions.

The time will come when you’ll have to decide whether or not you’ll jump.

Last summer I was able to experience my first trip whitewater rafting. It was an amazing time in West Virginia. Good friends, a great guide, and a crazy storm made the trip memorable.

And there’s one more event during the trip that made it memorable. During a stop, we were offered the chance to climb to a ledge jutting over the river. From there, we could jump.

At river level, the ledge didn’t look high. Maybe 20 feet. As I ascended the rockface the ledge seemed to grow further and further away. Once I got to the ledge, it seemed I was over 100 feet in the air.  Read more...