Leaders
are taking risks again
Don Schmitz /Human Resource Staffing
Many
leaders have been beaten by this crazy recession. Their ideas,
goals and visions were severely challenged and the progress
of their companies suffered greatly. A few brave leaders are
once again gaining in confidence that an economic recovery
is underway and adopting a more risk taking attitude.
Still
many other companies continue to wallow in fear. Fear has
taken over their grandiose dreams. Their leadership teams
lack a clear message of whom to follow.
The
pendulum is making its swing back once again. Leaders know
it takes great courage to stand up for their ideas and expect
confrontation will follow. Great leaders thrive on crisis
and competition and turn the experience into results. As the
recovery continues, new markets and technological innovation
will replace the paralysis of the past eighteen months.
As
in the past, these new leaders are once again overcoming fear
with courage and taking the right risks at the right time
with the right amount of capital. As Robert Kennedy stated,
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve
greatly."
To
be a true leader is to walk a fine line of eliminating risk
and eliminating growth. Being wise does not mean avoiding
risk altogether. In fact strong leaders embrace risk at the
right time with the required investment in resources. The
leader teeter-totter is a delicate balance between benefits
weighed and the danger of taking the risk.
Today's
new leaders visualize opportunities, but are aware of the
risks. They tend to exude energy and optimism and welcome
lively discussions resulting in action. Overconfidence is
often an attribute associated with leaders; a characteristic
which often helps them to get to the top.
Great
leaders are experimenters; they stick their necks out and
learn from their mistakes. By challenging what is, looking
to what could be, and having a healthy disregard for the impossible,
risk takers are making a difference in the world.
We
only need to look at leaders like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
who have opened the door for countless others with their visions
of cell phones, search engines and social networking.
Back to the library
Reproduction
of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed
consent of Human Resource Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular
speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource
Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration
and Human Development.
Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com
952 854 6040
