When risk is good
Thursday, January 05, 2017
Many companies seek to employ reliable, safe, risk-averse staff who will protect existing company principles and values; staff who will stick to existing templates of business behaviour and not push the boundaries into unknown territory.
But if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.
Sometimes, a business will seek out a risk-taker
This can be an exceptionally astute business move.
In life, right from birth, we learn by taking calculated risks.
We stand for the first time, not knowing if we’ll fall.
We choose a career, not certain if we’ll succeed.
But, if we get it right, the benefits are substantial and far outweigh the initial, calculated risk.
This is how we progress in life. And it’s how we progress in business.
Certain roles require a person who can, highly-effectively, weigh up the risk associated with a behaviour, act on that decision and be right. This kind of behaviour pushes business out of their comfort zone and keeps them ahead of their competition.
Calculated risk
Calculated risk is about knowingly and purposefully stepping into a scenario which could cause harm. It’s about estimating the probability of failure and taking an educated chance on a positive outcome.
The sole reason we risk, is because of the opposing gain to be achieved.
We stand for the first time, knowing we might fall, but also knowing that we might walk.
We decide that falling is worth the risk. And this is how we progress.
In business, it’s a great skill to know what to risk, when to risk it and how.
- We all have different definitions of risk
- We all have different limitations set down by our risk aversion
- We all care more/less about the opinion of others
- We all care more/less about the assets of others
The balance between risking too little and too much is pivotal to success or failure.
It takes a unique person to get risk-taking right and to be successful more often than not.
These unique people are simple to find, if you know what you’re looking for.
Psychology - the science of mind and behaviour - can find the perfect risk taker for your company.
The right person will…
Identify the risk and the opposing gain
Determine what you can afford to lose
Anticipate what could go wrong and cater for it
Take calculated risks that will benefit your company
If you’re a company who wants to actively, and safely, seek out a risk taker… contact Jon any time.
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