Stress Factor: What’s Your Relationship with Risk?

We’re used to thinking about risk tolerance when it comes to managing our financial portfolio. But it’s even more important in managing our relationships and leadership style.

My clients (the most senior to the most junior) experience the most stress and anxiety around risk in one form or another.

-Risk of failure
-Risk of shame
-Fear of rejection
-Risk of job loss

Too many people allow a fear of risk to diminish their health and hold back their careers.

Here’s the irony. When you deconstruct the actual risk–as opposed to the perceived risk–you face, most of the time it turns out to be virtually no risk, or risk that is very manageable.

Why? Because when that little kernel of anxiety around a perceived risk gets planted, it’s uncomfortable. You don’t want to deal with it. It just sits there and festers. The longer it goes unexamined, the irritation (and then pain) grows and you think the risk is bigger than it is.

When we let this happen, your relationship with risk is simple avoidance.

Here’s the good news. Once you stop avoiding risk, your anxiety goes down. It probably doesn’t go away (after all, that’s kindof the purpose of risk at its core–to keep us on our toes), but it becomes manageable, a tool in your toolbox.

How is risk a tool? It can teach you risk tolerance–in relationships, with your reputation, with your results. It will keep you learning and growing. It will help you learn from your mistakes. Learn what’s safe and what’s not.

Developing a tolerance for risk not only reduces your personal stress, but it gives you the instincts for success.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below.