Dare to take risks ___part 2

In the previous part we took a safari around the rainforest called ‘RISK’. We didn’t get down and explore the jungle further than our guide let us. So let us take a leap of faith, tighten out boots, and take a first aid kit and move on to the next conjecture in this issue.

Now people are as different in character as the number of animals found in the dense rainforest. Some may be vicious (Anaconda, tarantula etc) and some may be docile (anteater, parakeet etc). Similarly there are Daredevils who are willing to risk it all and on the other hand there are People who shy away at every chance they can get ; giving redundant excuses…..

Let us draw a thin line to separate these extremes and look at them at the same time:

Adrenaline junkie

The Jacket over Sweater -Kind

· Quotes Edison, Steve jobs….

· Orders Soda if his soup is spilt.

· Seek out high cliffs to ski.

· Exaggerate odds in their favour

• Own a shotgun
  

· Quotes Heisenberg

· Cries an hour about the pricy spring onions and broccoli that went into the exotic soup.

· Stays in the cabin and watches his children enjoy the Manali winter.

Exaggerate odds against them.

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Own a sniper-rifle (dragonov).

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I was a bit comical in my approach but I think that is a better way to get the point across. If you are a manager you would have to rake your wits to devise strategies that encapsulate both these types as :

True Leadership is all about changing a group from what it is to what it ought to be......(# Virginia Allen)

 

[Simran Rai]

This analogy of the rainforest aptly mirrors the diversity of risk appetites within a team. Within any organizational setup, individuals can range from high-risk takers to highly cautious thinkers. The challenge lies not in categorizing them, but in crafting an environment where both types thrive in tandem. The ‘adrenaline junkie’ brings innovation, speed, and bold decisions. Such individuals push boundaries and often lead breakthroughs. However, unchecked, this same trait can lead to impulsive missteps.


On the other hand, the cautious counterparts—the 'sniper-rifle owners'—offer calculated, well-analyzed, and sustainable input. Though they may hesitate, they also act as safety nets, often foreseeing pitfalls overlooked by risk-takers. When managed well, their hesitance turns into strategic resistance, not stagnation.


A strong leadership model neither glorifies the daredevil nor sidelines the cautious. Instead, it fosters collaboration, encourages mutual respect, and aligns both temperaments toward shared goals. Bridging the extremes demands empathy, vision, and tailored motivation. By designing processes that reward both innovation and prudence, leadership transforms a team into a cohesive unit that is not only dynamic but also resilient. In this balance lies the true art of management.​