Are You Playing It Too Safe at Work?

"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." --William Shedd

In an uncertain economy, the tendency may be to avoid risk, to err on the side of safety. But lean times are a great time to try new or unproven strategies at work, to go against conventional wisdom, to take calculated risks and to remain open to innovation. Take this Self-Quiz to see whether you could benefit from a little more "danger" on the job.

True False
	1. I am willing to take action, even when there is risk involved.
	2. I plan for the worst--but expect the best.
	3. I am acquainted with failure, and it doesn't scare me.
	4. To me, innovation sounds exciting, not spooky.
	5. I want to reach my potential, my dream, so I'm willing to walk out on the ledge a bit.
	6. I'm playing to succeed, not to avoid making mistakes.
	7. I'd rather face uncomfortable things head-on and grow in the process than remain small.
	8. My motto is "Ready. FIRE. Aim." I'd rather act and then correct than wait until something is perfect before taking action.
	9. I agree with the saying, "Playing safe is probably the most unsafe thing in the world. You cannot stand still. You must go forward."
	10. In business, playing it safe can actually increase insecurity.
	11. What is now considered a "safe" business practice was once an unknown frontier. I look at calculated risk and innovation as pushing ahead to a new frontier.
	12. I could play it safe and never fail, but that would be no fun.
	13. I look at the willingness to take risk (and to feel uncomfortable because of it) as an essential quality of leadership.
	14. I can be safe and adequate, or I can take a chance and be great.
	15. True leadership, personal and professional, isn't about playing it safe.

If you answered "false" more often than "true," you may benefit from working with a coach to work through the fear that may be keeping you stuck at safe and not moving forward.

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