Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Jon Douglas

I don’t glamorize risk, I manage it. As a former Sr. IT Project Manager, risk was never a surprise guest; it was a standing agenda item. Every project I led had a risk register, owners, triggers, and mitigation/contingency plans. Read More>>

Taide Pineda

I enjoy taking risks because I believe that avoiding them often leads to stagnation and prevents personal growth. In my opinion, taking risks is valuable — regardless of whether things go as planned, there’s always something to learn from the process. Read More>>

Clifford Starks

Risk has shaped everything for me — but not in the reckless way people think. I’ve always treated risk as clarity: if something matters enough to move, I move. Losing 80 pounds, stepping into a cage, making it to the UFC in under a year, leaving fighting to build a business — every leap forced me to grow, think sharper, and trust myself deeper. Read More>>