Great leaders are all risk takers.
Me? I like a good couch.
So does my dog. We especially like it when it’s raining or cold outside. We prefer the comfort of staying inside together rather than risk getting uncomfortable.
Why is it that inside seems more comfortable when outside is not?
There’s a huge amount written about work-life balance. That’s not what we’re talking about today.
We’re asking what is your relationship with comfort and risk?
Your leadership style depends on it.
As a leader you likely won’t have to deal with visible physical comforts, like sitting on a couch, but in your personal life it’s a good place to start.
You can ask the question – why get off the couch?
The best answer is because there’s something better to do.
If you get off the couch to do something enjoyable and relaxing, like eating or going to the beach, that’s not remarkable.
If going out isn’t enjoyable, if it’s cold or wet or hard, do you still go out?
The question isn’t about your relationship with the couch, it’s about your relationship with whatever the alternative is.
Are you staying on the couch to avoid what’s outside?
Try this – when you have the choice to stay comfortable or go out into something cold, wet, painful or difficult, go out. Get off the couch.
Not to be reckless or masochistic, but to experience facing difficulties that you choose to face.
You’ll learn 2 things – one is that it’s likely not as bad as you imagined. Second, you’ll get practice at overcoming fear.
You don’t need to do it all the time, but it should become a habit.
Do you know a leader you admire who takes calculated risks? One who seems to have the courage to do things you might not?
Do you think they suddenly became that way or did they practice it?
What’s your relationship with risk? Taking risks is like getting off a comfortable couch to go out into the dark.
Are you afraid of taking a chance, or are you afraid of making mistakes?
When you do uncomfortable things, why do you do them? Is it duty, or salary, or another long-term payoff like getting fit?
“..when you have the choice… get off the couch…”
Risk takers aren’t stupid, they can maybe see a benefit that you can’t.
If you change your mind set about something hard to being for something good, does it help you do it?
Do you run in the cold to get fit? Work every day to earn money? Climb the mountain to get to the top?
When you have a choice to do something risky, do you avoid it, or do you look for a benefit so you can do it?
Do you practice taking risks?
Why get off the couch?
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“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”