In the book Bet on You, the authors encourage readers to rethink how they approach risk and to see it as the only path that leads to growth, opportunity, and positive change. It’s a far cry from the risk aversion that most of us are taught — but it makes sense when risk is framed as a series of steps that are “measured, thoughtful, intentional, well-planned, and require incremental action, not sudden jumps.” It’s not “risky” in the way we usually think of the word, but a methodical strategy to grow.
The authors advocate enacting risk in four chambers — risking in life, career, for impact, and for joy. They describe these components like a kaleidoscope that balances little chips into a pattern, recognizing that people are often more comfortable taking risks in one chamber rather than others. I automatically could list risks I took for my career or life, but I am much more risk-averse when it comes to stretching for impact or joy. I need to follow their pattern of “dreaming it, owning it, taking it, and choosing guides” to help do the work and weave safety nets to bring more risk — thus reward — into those areas.
It’s a common misperception that we can avoid taking risks. If risk is “taking action in the face of uncertainty,” there really is no getting around it. Better to treat it like any other skill and do some intentional thinking and development around the kind of risk we want to take, and then “do the work” to make the most of the opportunity we’re pursuing. If you’re one to play it safe rather than sorry, you might be sorry you did not reframe your relationship with risk and start seeing it as an ally instead of something to be avoided.
Bet on You: How to Win With Risk by Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch, 2022
Free Risk Manifesto to accompany the book
