How to Make Risk Taking Less Risky
I woke up this morning to a few email questions from individuals seeking my perspective, advice, or suggestions. I usually answer questions with questions and when applicable reflect back what I see. Giving advice falls third on my response to email inquires.
One questioner explained their aversion to risk along with a lack luster performance in group meetings. They clam up.
Interestingly, they added a preference for one-on-ones.
They rightly see risk aversion as a road block to achieving big dreams.
My response:
Thanks for dropping a note. I love the self-awareness you possess. I think it enables you to see your best strengths and use them to pursue your best opportunities.
The first things that come to mind are questions about lowering what’s at stake?
- Is it possible to lower what’s at stake to the point where you can take small steps toward your big objective?
- Is it possible to avoid an all or nothing situation?
- Can you identify risk points where failure isn’t final? In other words, are there areas where recovery is easier?
- Can you make contingency plans if your preferred approach doesn’t work? Jim Collins on “if then” contingencies.
Regarding group meetings:
You might use your one-on-one skill to prepare individuals for meetings you lead. Basically, have a series of short one-on-one meetings with the same agenda you have for the group meeting. Schedule the group meeting after working through issues and building buy-in using one-on-ones. Leverage your strength.
Note: this post is based on, but does not completely reflect the email exchange that prompted it.
What insights or suggestions do you have for dealing with risk aversion?
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Morning Dan,
Addressing the group’s interactions (or lack of), absolutely some advance prep may be needed and what a great approach to leverage the one-to-one skill set. Another strength might be awareness of the meetings not being dynamic.
Pushing the boundaries a bit then, how bout, in those one-on-ones indicate that the next meeting you want to talk about the current state (snore) of the meetings and potential for the future state (woohoo!) of the meetings. It may be that you feel that the meetings are not that productive and you, in the end as a group, are not providing the best service to the customer. You are wasting resources.
Get some ideas individually, study up on P. Lencioni, and/or really shake up the meeting format/environment itself. When you get individual’s ideas you can present them in the meeting (with proper attribution of course-a double win). Doing a current/future state may establish more mutual ownership of the meeting product. Of course Death by Meeting would jumble things up enough to make the meetings more dynamic too.
Speaking of one to one and group skill sets….We once had an instance where all of the therapists I worked with did very well with group leadership (may also read in too comfortable, maybe even stuck) but deferred the one to ones. The other staff to do the one to ones were newer and struggling. In a more draconian approach, because of a series of reluctant adaptation to doing one to ones, we instituted a 3 month pilot of only one to ones for all. With a brief visit from chicken little, folks got into the swing of things, shared tips, ideas and best approaches for those we serve and after three months, the therapists were wanting to do more one to ones. There were many other dynamics involved, however when you keep the focus on service delivery–“it’s not about you’, all can win.
Hi Doc,
Great stuff. Pushing the boundaries a bit… I’ll say!
Banning group meetings… sheesh. And all this time I thought you were a push over. 😉
Frankly, realizing everyone was in the same boat and then putting EVERYONE in a different boat sounds like a stroke of genius.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks for all you do.
Dan
Just to let you know Dan was in a accident yesterday. He is in the Geisinger hospital in Danville, PA. He is doing better than we thought. He is pretty banged up. He had surgery this morning on his hip. please pray.
Thanks for letting us all know Amy…was beginning to wonder.
Hey Dan, all of the LF community is thinking bout ya and praying for a speedy recovery. Do take care of yourself!!
HerHere is an update on Dan from his son Mark: To those of you who haven’t heard my dad was in a serious car accident today and was life flighted to Geisinger. Initially we were told he was ejected from his truck and had head injuries but no other details. Obviously, we were expecting and fearing the worst. I’m thankful …to report that he is doing well. No serious head injuries just bumps, bruises and a couple nasty cuts. He has broken rib…s (not really sure how many), had a pneumothorax (or air in the chest cavity) but now has a chest tube in and is breathing well. He also has a broken bone in his left hand, a dislocated and fractured left hip (acetabulum for those in the medical field.) He had his face sewn up by eye specialists because it involved his right eyelid. The ortho docs are still deciding whether or not they are going to do surgery on his hip and we won’t know tomorrow. I know it all sounds bad, but we are greatful that it wasn’t worse, that he still has his mind, sense of humor, and life. Clearly, we still need everyone’s prayers and appreciate those we have received already. I’ll try to keep everyone updated as I learn things. Praise the Lord for watching over him today.e is an update on Dan written by his son yesterday:
Trying to keep everyone updated. I’m working today and my sister, Mindy, is trying to keep me updated. She relayed what she remembered and could understand from the surgeon. First and for most he went through and came out of surgery well, no troubles with anesthesia. Sounds like his right hip was in pretty rough shape. They found pieces of cartilage where they …shouldn’t be and the acetabulum was in 3 pieces. My understanding is they put some type of steel into the joint with screws. They are concerned about the overall health of his sciatic nerve due to the nature of the injury, but Mindy and Mom were told that it looked okay during surgery. The cartilage may be an ominous sign for the future as far as predicting whether or not he will need a hip replacement and if so how soon. The range is anywhere from a few months to years, but we won’t know that for sometime. They will also be giving him one radiation treatment which is to prevent bony overgrowth/calcium deposition following a traumatic injury. At this point he can put tip toe pressure on his leg, but is not allowed to sit up beyond 40 degrees for 2-4 weeks. I’m not sure how to tip toe if you can’t sit up but I’m sure physical therapy has a way. They are concerned about the overall health of his sciatic nerve due to the nature of the injury, but Mindy and Mom were told that it looked okay during surgery. After that he will need a walker that allows him to lean on it for another 6-8 weeks. We will need to be making decisions about inpatient therapy versus coming home sometime in the next week or so, so please keep that in your prayers. Secondly, he has several pins in his left hand. He has fractures of his 3rd (middle) and 5th (little) metacarpal. He won’t be able to use his fingers or hand for 6-8 weeks. They seemed to be a bit more optimistic about the long term health of the hand than the hip, but time will tell. Clearly, we got a long road ahead, but are still very thankful that he is with us and his vital signs continue to look normal. Thanks again for all the love, support and prayers. We all appreciate it.
The above is from Dan’s son Mark.
Definitely praying, and wishing you and your family the best, Dan.
My most dear Dan, I have been out of pocket and just found out. I am so sorry my friend but am thankful that you appear to be on your way to recovery. Our prayers will be with you and your family. You are in a great facility and I am sure are getting the very best care. If there is anyway I may be helpful please let me know. Dan’s family please don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel I may be of assistance. God bless you all.
Amy or Mark,
Is there an address where we could mail Dan a card or get well gift?
(I am thinking if Dan is going to have trouble typing, might have to pony up a speech to text software program for the Governor of the Leadership Freak Community!)
Doc,
I will find out an address and get it posted for you. Here is another updaJust saw Dad. He is looking a little better today. Face is less swollen. I thought his voice sounded more like him as he had been speaking pretty quietly the last time I talked to him. I don’t know if I mentioned it before but he does have a cervical collar on because of the avulsion(chip) fracture in his neck (C5). I asked him if he heard anything about how long he would have to wear it and… he said they told him a month this morning. They changed his limit for sitting up to 90 degrees and he was sitting up as of a few minutes ago. He also had his radiation treatment this morning, that was a one time treatment so that’s done.
We need to get him eating. He refused to eat for any of us today. I think it was more of a taste thing than anything. Didn’t smell good to me and he is nauseated so I can’t say I blame him. They also plan on getting him up to walk to the bathroom today, obviously with a lot of help. I think once he gets moving around a little bit he will want to eat and start improving faster. Seems like things are moving in the right direction today. We were able to tell him that TONS of people are praying for and thinking of him today but too many to name. Thanks again for the support and prayers, lets keep it going!
The update was from his son. As I said, I will find out an address. Please pass the word along to pray.
If you prefer to not post here, you can send to my email address, docdisc@comcast.net
Dan is doing alot better today. He was more alert and more talkative his son says. They also moved him out of ICU. If you would like to send a card I am sure he would appreciate it and it might be a extra shot of medicine to him.
Send to
Dan Rockwell
280 Northway Rd Ext.
Linden, PA 17744
Happy Thanksgiving
Hi Amy and Mark, A lot of us are reading your updates here and on Facebook and appreciate them very much.
Your father has touched so many people who really care about him. Many prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
Dan you are in our hearts and prayers full a full recovery. You are loved and missed.
Thoughts and prayers to you Dan, and heartfelt wishes to you Amy and Mark and family, certainly not where or how you planned to spend Thankgiving.
Sending you strength over the Internet, pulling for you and your swift recovery,
Warmest ,
Simon
Dan, I am still impressed that you would take time to call and talk to one of your Twitter followers. I am sending out prayers and good thoughts for a speedy recovery. On this day we are all thankful you survived this accident. Sam LoPresto
Wishing you a speedy recovery Dan. My thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
Vera
Wishing a speedy recovery and amazed at the irony of the post and how it seems to relate to the accident. I hope your entire family is feeling mentally well on this Thanksgiving day.
Count me in as a) one of the ones who was out of the loop until now and b) one of the tons praying and sending much love, caring, and concern.
another update from Dan’s son Mark——-
Mark Rockwell
Happy Thanksgiving! We had a good one. Dad’s roommate left today so the Rockwell clan had the room to ourselves. Nice to have everyone together on the holiday despite the location. Dad is doing great. Chest tube came out today and he was up walking around a (very) little. He is hoping to get moving to rehab soon but we haven’t actually received a date for that (I would expect this weekend or… very early next week). He talked to Jason D. Wolfe a lot about church and leadership things and everything seemed a bit more normal today. Pray for continued progress and patience as he starts the rehab process. I’m thankful for everyone who has prayed for our family and been there with support through one of the most difficult times our family has been through.
Dan and family, thank you for keeping us updated. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Looking forward to your speedy return to sharing your wisdom with us!
I just recently stumbled across this wonderful and insightful blog. I was looking through older articles until today and literally just found out about your accident. I’m so sorry that you are going through what you are right now Dan. Your positive outlook will serve you well in these difficult times. Get well soon and my prayers will certainly be with you. Bless you and may the Lord be your strength. Thank you to your family for the updates.
Dan is coming along nicely says his family. He was moved to Gibson Rehab in Williamsport, closer to his home.
Update on Dan from Mindy:
It is so good to see Dad doing so well. They are saying if he continues to progress as he is he will be able to go home well before Christmas to continue healing . Although his hip is still only beginning to heal, he is still in his neck brace, bruised all over, black eyes, fractured ribs and cast arm he is doing remarkably well. It’s incredible really that only a few days ago he was ‘touch and go’. We have so much to be thankful for…thank you all for supporting our family so much. It means the world to us.