Risk taking in detail

Positive examples

• Willing to take a calculated gamble on the basis of insufficient information in order to gain success
• Demonstrate a willingness to "go for it" even against scepticism from others
• Try out new activities or ideas or ways of solving problems

Negative examples

• Not prepared to make decisions without all the relevant information
• Unwilling to gamble in order to achieve success
• "Go by the book"

Developing risk taking

• Consider your immediate response to a problem and then assess the risks involved
• Review a project failure, analysing the risks taken, and consider the balance of risks
• Review and challenge decisions

Developing risk taking in others

• Encourage the individual to give an immediate response to a problem and then discuss the risks involved
• Provide recognition and encouragement for the individual taking risks
• Review a project failure, analysing the risks taken, and help individual to balance the risks
• Consider different ways in which you can implement a project
• Review and challenge decisions
• Carry out an analysis of the strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats in a situation (a SWOT analysis) and discuss a specific calculated risk that the group could, and should, take