The art of reasonable risk: a manager must take calculated risks

People who are afraid of risks and always avoid them will never achieve more than average success in their career, management and productivity in general. Without occasional risks, you can never attain the highest benchmarks. At the same time, however, you should not take ill-judged decisions, and any risks you do take must not threaten you or your team on an existential level. Here are some tips on how to take sensible risks and be successful in people management and business.

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Always have a plan B

According to a LinkedIn Pulse articletaking risks does not mean having no strategy ready in case the risk goes wrong and you are forced to handle an emergency situation. Fortune favours the prepared: this also applies to failed risks and is even more important for managers, who are responsible for the fate of their team. It may sound contradictory, but prudence is crucial when taking risks.

Consult an expert

No one is perfect and no one can see to the bottom of every issue. When considering whether to take a risk, consult an expert in the given field. They may point out some hidden issues you have not noticed. You should always have as much information as possible before deciding whether to take a risk or not.

Trust your instincts

At the same time, you should not base decisions solely on rational facts. Nature has equipped us with various instincts which offer subconscious advice on what to do. For instance, if someone strikes you as suspicious even though everything appears to be fine, rather avoid the risk.

Learn from mistakes and failures

As mentioned above, fortune favours the prepared. And there is no better preparation than analysis of your own mistakes and failures. If something does not go as planned, use such a unique opportunity to learn and analyse in detail what to do differently next time.

 

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Article source LinkedIn Pulse - LinkedIn blogging platform
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