Taking Risks
a poem by;
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To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because
the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing
does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his servitude, he is a slave
who has forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
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"The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change
And the realist adjusts the sails."
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Leaders tackle what's real!'
Life is not risk-free; in every endeavour we try, every time we cross the street, we are taking a risk. Things go downhill when we leave the comfort of our Mother's womb! Leaders learn that there is no pain or gain, and the pain is often associated with risk. Leadership teaches them to take risks based on several factors. They will look back on their track record, their success, and their failures. They will study the experiences of other Leaders and look for inspiration from business thinkers, movers and shapers. They may chat with their Mentor and learn something new from them. But they will avoid procrastination, which will bog them down and increase the risk of failing. They will discuss their ideas with confidants and determine what the customer thinks. None of these efforts, however, will create a risk-free decision to act. Risks are part of life in and out of business. In the end, the Leaders must decide for themselves; they have considered, discussed and researched - they know that it could all go wrong - good Leaders don't worry about what might go wrong; they focus on doing it right.