7 Valuable Risks That Reap Professional Rewards

7 Valuable Risks That Reap Professional Rewards

Originally Published in Forbes

I never embraced risk as a young adult. I wanted to be an architect, but when I heard that the big universities had rigorous programs, I opted for a smaller college instead. I was afraid that I wouldn’t make it, so I didn’t even try. I had failed in my mind before I even started!

After a successful and careful college career, I allowed life’s currents to carry me along. I was risk-ignorant. I was totally unaware that success did not occur without taking risks. It wasn’t until many years later that I took a gamble on a stagnating career.

Stepping Out On A Limb

As I developed into a more driven young professional, I knew that something had to change. I had been guilty of analysis paralysis: I would over-analyze everything because I didn’t want to fail. Pioneer aviator Charles Lindbergh said, “I don’t believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished if we don’t take any chances at all.”

When I saw the dark tunnel of a dead-end career coming, I took a leap of faith and applied for the VP of Operations job that I knew I wouldn’t get.

Reaping The Reward Of Risk

Even though I didn’t get the job, I did receive several things that were necessary for me to grow professionally.

1. Communicating Value: While my skills as a project manager were well known in my organization, my other talents and expertise were not. I knew that, by applying for the job, I would receive courtesy interviews with upper management. It was my chance to make them aware of my unique skill set.
2. Professional Passion: One of my main themes as a professional is a passion for improving the current state. I was always looking for ways to innovate. I was driven toward continuous improvement and I had a goal to further my professional career in this area.
3. Creating Connections: They say it’s not about what you know; it’s about who you know. I fought this concept until it finally dawned on me that it wasn’t about schmoozing the boss. It was about establishing a rapport with others and developing professional relationships. I had a chance to establish better connections with senior executives.

The risk paid off! Around six months later I was given a promotion and the opportunity to focus on my professional passion.

7 Valuable Risks That Reap Professional Rewards

Most people are afraid to fail. We are taught in early childhood and in school that failure is bad. The fact is, you will never see change if you do not take action to change. There are at least 7 valuable risks that reap professional rewards:

1. Leveraging Your Strengths: Many professionals are stuck in positions that do not leverage their strengths. If you already know what your strengths are, do your best to focus on developing them further. This often requires a risk on your part. Take a chance on you. When we work in our areas of strength, our chances of success increase significantly.
2. Work Your Professional Passion: What would make you gladly get out of bed in the morning or step outside your comfort zone to do? A career shift involves some element of risk. Understanding your passion and creating a plan to develop this in your professional life is a huge step towards a fulfilling career.
3. Communicate Your Accomplishments: If you haven’t already, think about what you have done to positively impact the organizations you have worked for. If you want others to understand what you are capable of, you must clearly communicate your expertise. As Rick Gillis says, “Your work does not speak for itself. You do!”
4. Ask For The Promotion: It’s a common misconception that we are automatically rewarded for hard work. Have you been baffled when someone else got a promotion or a raise that you were certain you’re better qualified for? It’s up to you to communicate your value. Don’t assume that your manager already knows.
5. Expand Your Network: There’s significant value in networking at work. If you want to become an established asset to your company, you must connect with others. Remember that people like to talk about themselves. Ask questions and share stories. A fear of rejection can encourage inaction. Take a risk of action.
6. Admit Your Mistakes: This the number one rule for being authentic and approachable. You are much better off taking the “risk” in admitting mistakes to establish the credibility you need to demonstrate your authenticity.
7. Face Your Fear Of Failure: You may need to try something without a guarantee of success. “If you’re not failing, you’re not growing,” according to H. Stanley Judd. The truth is that no success comes without failure — or without risk. Can you break the fear-induced analysis paralysis cycle and take a chance on you?

Looking Forward

As I write this, I realize how lucky I was to finally realize that I must take risks to find success. There wasn’t a guarantee, but the gamble paid off. It reshaped the rest of my professional career for the better. Since that time, I have embraced valuable risks that reap professional rewards.

As a professional development coach, I have found that most people will do almost anything to avoid taking risks. We have been taught that risk equals potential failure and failure is evil. In actuality, failure is a requirement for success and personal development. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “He who makes no mistakes, makes no progress.”

Erin Urban LSSBB, CPDC and member of the Forbes Coaches Council is a certified professional development coach and culture change expert with over 8 years in mentoring and coaching successful professional transformations. With an extensive background in leading individual, cultural and organizational change initiatives: her mission is to lift others up to defy their limits and exceed their goals.