Responsible risk—the phrase almost seems like an
oxymoron. How is it possible to be both
responsible and still take a risk? This seems like “a disconnect” to us. Our
behavior tends to fall in one of two categories: “at risk” or “safe.” Some of us are so “risk adverse” that even
when opportunity is knocking on our door we can’t answer.
Let’s think about some people who have taken
responsible risks. Certainly Steve Jobs
did. He knew that he wanted to combine
form and function. He knew that the
sleekness and beauty of his highly functional products was as important as the
work that those pieces of equipment could do.
He made downloading music simple.
He improved on a PDA with the smart phone, and he captured the
intuitiveness within people with his touch screens and easy-to-use
products.
Where would we be without Facebook? What if Mark Zuckerberg had not taken a
responsible risk and figured out how to connect students at a university. He continues to take these responsible risks
and works to make Facebook safe for everyone.
And then there is Reed Hastings who got together with several of his
friends to create Netflix when he was charged a late fee on a video rental
return. And then, much to the surprise
of everyone, he abandoned his business model (you remember, red envelopes in
the mail) and figured out how to bring you movies through web-based
services.
All of these things were risky, but because they
had thought things through, investigated and tried things out, the risks they
took were responsible ones.
Learning—stepping outside of your comfort zones—requires youth and
adults to take responsible risk. In this
way they stand to gain amazing success.
Responsible risk is the ultimate “I intend” level of initiative which
says to the world, this is what I intend to do and then sets about to make it
happen. Certainly when you take
responsible risk you are not guaranteed success—but you are exercising your
entrepreneurial spirit and your chance of success is increased.
If you are interested in becoming part of a
company who has been engaged in taking responsible risks for the past few
years, go to our website at www.consultfourkids.com
and click on the “Start Here” icon and find out how you can become part of the
team.
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