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For most of us, we grew up with our parents telling us how to ‘fit in.’ From making friends the first day of school, to picking the right groups to join, being different was something foreign. In the business world, we see much of the same in the work that we do. Although creativity and innovation are regarded as valuable assets, many are trapped into following the ‘norm’ and taking few risks. Rather than taking risks, we choose to play it safe and go with what we know works. While there is nothing wrong with this, we need to be reminded that risk takers are the ones that pushed us forward and the ones that gain the most.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group
Richard Branson once said:
“I don’t go into ventures to make a fortune. I do it because I’m not satisfied with the way others are doing business.”
Branson, who at the age of 16 quit school to start his own magazine, is what many would agree is a classic ‘risk taker.’ Little regard for rules, a flair for the extravagant, and a genius.
While some may not use the term ‘genius’ as loosely, Branson refused to become just another businessman. From signing the Sex Pistols when no one would touch them, to taking on British Airways by creating Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Branson proved that when done right, risk taking could be a extremely profitable.
Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks
“If you do not have the courage to get out of your comfort zone, you will never be successful.” — Mark Cuban
While many know Mark Cuban for being the Dallas Mavericks number one fan and owner, Mark brings that same intensity and passion when it comes to business. Cuban, who is a strong believer in the saying, “risk something to gain something,” is consistently at the top of the business world because he is always taking risks. Included in the many ventures he is currently pursing is being an owner in the UFL as well as creating a mixed martial arts company with the McMahon family to rival the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Be A Risk Taker. Not Foolish.
While the goal is to encourage individuals to take risks when no one will, there is a fine line between being a risk taker and being foolish. Just how a sky diver wouldn’t jump out of an airplane without a parachute, no one should jump into something without having at least thought things out. Remember that part of being a risk taker means identifying situations and figuring out why people won’t do something differently. If no one jumps out of an airplane without a parachute, there must be a reason.
Again, the risk taker isn’t foolish, they are calculative. They decide to break from the norm because they see the potential success in something rather than let the bumps in the road stop them.
While for most of us taking risk taking may not be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or traversing the sea in an air balloon, presenting a new idea at a meeting or offering a new approach to a client is just as important.
To quote another famous risk taker,
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” – Michelangelo
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Comments
09.16.10
Glad to have stumble on this site. It is an honor. Hope this can help me a lot in any means. Thanks for posting.
09.16.10
so true. if you google "JD Valerio Live Your Life" you can see my song on the matter. James, I appredciate your words. I don't beleive in risk, at least in the traditional sense. Risk is a frame of mind. Woodie Gutherie lived on the road as a musician and was homeless. He wrote "this land is your land, this land is my land". His legacy lives on. If you want a big reward you gotta be willing to take a "risk", but view it as a step towards your dream, not risk.
peace out brotha!
JD Valerio
www.jdvalerio.com
09.16.10
@James & @JD Thanks for checking out the article guys!
09.16.10
"we need to be reminded that risk takers are the ones that pushed us forward and the ones that gain the most."
Need I remind you that they also lose the most; just playing the devil's advocate.
09.16.10
I love the phrase calculated risk. I think often people who don't risk anything at all, don't reap any small successes either. You don't have to start jumping off of buildings, or guerilla-ambushing people on the subway, but picking up a phone and making a call to a company that you really want to work for is something you can do.
It's a lesson I'm learning (I'm risk-averse at the best of times), and this is a great reminder too!
09.17.10
You gave a couple of great examples of people who took risks and made it big. But what about the people who took risks, and failed? Are they automatically foolish? Is the only difference between a risk-taker and a fool whether or not they succeed or fail? If so, what's the difference?
And if there is such a thing as a risk-taker who failed, how many more of them are there than risk takers who succeeded? We can easily think of examples of people who took risks and succeeded, but I would bet there's a lot more failures than successes.
09.18.10
Your article sounds interesting. You have provided some of the best examples of the people who achieve the success by taking the big risks. I think, Risk is everyone. Risk should be taken. Because success comes after the failure.
Thanks for the nice post.
Regards,
Alish
09.22.10
It seems that you may be having a great views on this site. These seems to be a great thing to have and a very good thing to value, and it helps a lot. You really gave a good provision on this. Thanks a lot and thanks a for this post.
11.10.10
you told me about Edirne the issue very beautiful.
Edirne Eğitim Thank you
Edirne Öğrenci
for your efforts Alaçatı
11.10.10
Risk taking is okay, when it's only you that's taking the risk and dealing with the consequences of failure. It's an entirely different matter, when you drag your spouse and children along on the risk taking and asking them (or telling them) to live with the consequences, if you fail..
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