I have no patience for risk aversion. Allow me say that in a less abrasive way. Taking calculated risks and behaving in a brave, bold manner gives puts us in an optimal position to have success in every compartment of our lives. When interacting with our fellow human beings, we must be strong with our opinions and assertive with our actions. It’s how we earn respect.
From Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist:
How do you connect with people on a gut level? By doing things that are hard and taking a risk.
The reason for this is simple. Folks sniff out others who take the easy way and seek out the most comfortable conversation and label them as inauthentic. Conjure up images of the most respected men in the history of the world. From Martin Luther King Jr. to John F Kennedy, from Mahatma Gandhi to Nelson Mandela, these leaders all happily engaged in sensibly risky behavior. They were unafraid to disagree and unwilling to compromise their integrity. They understood that in order to experience their peak level of confidence, they needed to take giant leaps. From theatlantic.com:
…many psychologists now believe that risk taking, failure, and perseverance are essential to confidence-building.
This is certainly not unique to men, but there is a growing body of evidence that risk taking also increases testosterone production, particularly when the risks pay off.
Men have about 10 times more testosterone pumping through their system than women do, and it affects everything from speed to strength to muscle size to competitive instinct. It is thought of as the hormone that encourages a focus on winning and demonstrating power, and for good reason. Recent research has tied high testosterone levels to an appetite for risk taking. In a series of studies, scientists from Cambridge University followed male traders at a London hedge fund, all high rollers (with annual bonuses greater than $5 million). Using saliva samples, the researchers measured the men’s testosterone levels at the start and end of each day. On days when traders began with higher levels of testosterone, they made riskier trades. When those trades paid off, their testosterone levels surged further. One trader saw his testosterone level rise 74 percent over a six-day winning streak.
By definition, seeking out risk will not always produce winning streaks. In fact, you’ll undoubtedly and inevitably fall on your face. But even in defeat, you’ll be deriving confidence for making the attempt. Folks will watch you go about your business, and they will respect that you don’t avoid hard work, confrontation or failure. Ultimately, you’ll give yourself a chance to truly connect and win big. Monster upside doesn’t arrive without some degree of peril.
Strong mind,
Kap