Do Your Leaders Encourage Risk Taking?

I’ve never really been a fan of heights. My roof at the highest point is thirty-eight feet from the ground. Years ago, I actually went up there. Visiting the roofers when my house was built to take in the sights was truly breathtaking. Now, it would still be breathtaking but for different reasons. The large boulders of my landscaping at the bottom of thirty-eight feet are one good reason that comes to mind. The risk is just not worth the reward. It makes much more sense to call a roofer when I need help with anything that involves a tall ladder. I don’t need to learn this the hard way! Risk is defined as “a situation involving exposure to danger”. When it comes to business I like to think of risk in a less dramatic form.

Taking risks at work can certainly lead to danger, such as not heeding safety procedures, or bypassing guards put in place to prevent us from great bodily harm, but I’m referring to the risks we can take to make something better. To improve on a procedure, we already have in place. To challenge the manner in which we have always done something. To experiment with a new technique. While not life threatening, doing so does come with its share of dangers. Perhaps the danger of losing our job. Do you work in an environment like that? Or, worse yet, do you participate in an environment like that?

As leaders we must begin to intentionally implement strategies designed to encourage and build a culture of risk-taking. The ability to take reasonable risks can be developed just like any other valuable employee behavior. Leading by example is hands down one of the most powerful approaches to affect change. When employees see their own leaders trying new things, taking chances, and stepping out of their comfort zone, it goes a long way when trying to develop that risk-taking culture with their team. When taking this approach, it’s vital to acknowledge not only the good, but the not so good outcomes from the risk you took. After encouraging your team to take risks, let them. Even if you suspect the path they are traveling down might not be appropriate, ask yourself? What will it hurt to let them discover the solution on their own? What lesson could they learn by taking this path? Assess the risk they want to take. Will it cause a significant monetary loss, jeopardize our customer commitment, or cause great bodily harm? If the answer is no, let them go for it.

My wife tells me it’s time to clean the gutters. I think I have some phone calls to make!