Take Risks Or Go Sell Ice Cream

It is hard to live completely risk averse and even harder to live out our purpose without taking some risks. Tonight, at the end of FBI International, Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank) told Special Agent Cameron Vo (Vinessa Vidotto), “If you are not willing to take risks on this job, go sell ice cream.” This was after Cameron had shared she had make some tough calls, taken a risk, and lost a friend in the process of doing the right thing. I guess if someone is risk-averse or prefers a stable and predictable career path, they should consider a job like selling ice cream, where the potential for unexpected challenges or risks is minimal. We must also create environments where it is okay to take risks.

Some leaders have a higher risk tolerance than others. Here’s the balancing act: taking on too much risk can have dire consequences, as can embracing too little risk. As a leader, it is crucial to strike a balance between managing risks and creating an environment that encourages calculated risks and learning from failures. The problem with risk aversion is that it’s stifles those you lead. In this episode of FBI International, Forrester had encouraged Vo to take a case and run with it. She knew she could call and talk things through, which she did, but also knew she had the autonomy to make the risky decisions. While it is important to assess and manage risks to protect the well-being of individuals and the organization, being overly risk-averse can hinder growth, innovation, and personal development. It can discourage individuals from taking on new challenges, exploring creative solutions, or stepping outside their comfort zones.

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