Danger or Risk?

When was the last time you paused to consider the difference between danger and risk??

I’ve been reflecting on this since listening to a recent episode of Guy Raz’s podcast, in which he delves into how these two concepts shape our decision-making, particularly in leadership.

We often hear people say leadership is risky, is it dangerous??

That subtle distinction is essential.?

Danger suggests immediate, irreversible harm….??

Whereas risk is often about stepping into the unknown with a calculated plan.?

This difference can transform the way we approach our most difficult challenges, both professionally and personally.

During my time in the army and in healthcare as a health professional, we were trained to assess situations not for their fear factor, only for the potential risks involved. Safety was paramount.

Yes in the process we faced danger, particularly on deployments where we had to mitigate the risks for all those in our team.

I shall never forget flying into Afghanistan where our plane was mortared.

Yes, it was dangerous - the courageous pilot assessed the risk and told us to get into the brace position with our helmets and body armour on while he flew another loop before he landed us safely - phew!

This was particularly relevant when retrieving a casualty from a dangerous situation such as a road traffic accident.

The priority had to be to make the area safe before even starting to treat the casualty.

This mindset has stayed with me and has been invaluable in the business world.?

It’s not about avoiding risk altogether; it’s about understanding and managing it effectively.?

Risk is often the gateway to growth......

Avoiding it can stifle progress.

Guy Raz’s podcast episode reminded me how crucial this perspective is for leaders today….. Whether we’re leading a team, driving innovation, or stepping into a new opportunity.....

Risk is part of the journey......

We cannot have innovation without it.?

How we view and respond to it can make all the difference.

Three key lessons from the episode that apply to leadership:

Recognise true danger

Danger is rare. It’s the immediate threat of serious harm.?

Risk, however, is present in almost every decision we make. Risk doesn’t have to be feared—it can be managed.?

When we can distinguish between the two, we move forward with confidence, not paralysis.

Take informed risks

Successful leaders are those who don’t shy away from risk as they know how to manage it and mitigate it.?

They gather the right information and weigh up the pros and cons......

They trust their intuition. This is how you make bold yet informed decisions that drive success.

See risk as a learning opportunity

Every risk carries a chance to learn, no matter the outcome. It’s how innovation is created.

Some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from risks that didn’t go according to plan.

We gain resilience through this feedback and resilience builds stronger teams and strategies.

Think about it……

How often do we mistake risk for danger, and as a result, avoid opportunities that could lead to breakthrough successes??

Even having a challenging conversation with a 'tricky' individual or speaking up in the boardroom can be seen as an extreme danger psychologically for fear of being shot down or rejected.

Taking a risk might feel uncomfortable, and comfort doesn’t breed growth.?

The best leaders I’ve worked with are those who understand the power of calculated risks.?

They don’t seek out danger, they do embrace the uncertainty that comes with moving forward.

So, when was the last time you took a risk that paid off??

Or maybe it didn’t—what did you learn from it??

In either case, it’s a part of your leadership story, and it’s something we should share more openly with one another.

Want to know more - let’s speak! Send me a DM and let’s have a conversation!

Take Care

Lizzy

#Leadership #Resilience #RiskManagement #HighPerformanceTeams

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At Release Your Potential we help directors and aspiring leaders to embrace their resilience, confident leadership, and own who they truly are so that they can communicate with impact, influence, power and purpose to build high-performing teams. No body armour is required! Let’s speak!