Comments on: Fast? Slow? http://middlezonemusings.com/fast-slow/ It's about lessons learned... from life! Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:31:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Bob http://middlezonemusings.com/fast-slow/#comment-34 Bob Wed, 31 Dec 1969 23:59:59 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=62#comment-34 Dustin, your comments about most businesses' desire to avoid risk-taking hits close to the mark. The problem is that by completely avoiding risk-taking, they were stifling innovation. Happily there seems to be a current trend moving back the other way in the business world as companies find ways to incorporate risk-taking into the corporate culture again.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps my use of the word "balance" is the problem here. I advocate, as it sounds like you do, "<B><I>calculated</I></B> risk-taking". That's what I meant by balance. It seemed to me you were advocating a path that would lead to likely destruction, but I see I was incorrect.<BR/><BR/>As for your philosophy - go for it!<BR/><BR/>Oh, and thanks for the clarification, and the feedback! Dustin, your comments about most businesses’ desire to avoid risk-taking hits close to the mark. The problem is that by completely avoiding risk-taking, they were stifling innovation. Happily there seems to be a current trend moving back the other way in the business world as companies find ways to incorporate risk-taking into the corporate culture again.

Perhaps my use of the word “balance” is the problem here. I advocate, as it sounds like you do, “calculated risk-taking”. That’s what I meant by balance. It seemed to me you were advocating a path that would lead to likely destruction, but I see I was incorrect.

As for your philosophy - go for it!

Oh, and thanks for the clarification, and the feedback!

]]> By: Dustin Walper http://middlezonemusings.com/fast-slow/#comment-35 Dustin Walper Wed, 31 Dec 1969 23:59:59 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=62#comment-35 Bob,<BR/>You make some valid points. I have to admit that my viewpoint on this issue is entirely entrepreneurial, so a lot of the things very specific to risk-taking probably wouldn't fly too well for the Fortune 1000 companies. It's a shame that management thinks that way, because it's the entrepreneurial types who (if successful) see much greater returns.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, my take on success also emphasizes the idea that everything you do should be challenging, fun, and risky... in a calculated manner. Honestly, I'm not interested in a tame path to modest success filled with extensive risk analysis. Look at the Fortune 1000 CEOs and look at the world's top entrepreneurs and tell me with a straight face that the Fortune 1000 CEOs enjoy life more.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I'm working on a post on the issue of being more unbalanced, and trust me... it's not as ridiculous as it sounds. <BR/><BR/>Cheers! Bob,
You make some valid points. I have to admit that my viewpoint on this issue is entirely entrepreneurial, so a lot of the things very specific to risk-taking probably wouldn’t fly too well for the Fortune 1000 companies. It’s a shame that management thinks that way, because it’s the entrepreneurial types who (if successful) see much greater returns.

Furthermore, my take on success also emphasizes the idea that everything you do should be challenging, fun, and risky… in a calculated manner. Honestly, I’m not interested in a tame path to modest success filled with extensive risk analysis. Look at the Fortune 1000 CEOs and look at the world’s top entrepreneurs and tell me with a straight face that the Fortune 1000 CEOs enjoy life more.

Anyway, I’m working on a post on the issue of being more unbalanced, and trust me… it’s not as ridiculous as it sounds.

Cheers!

]]> By: Bob http://middlezonemusings.com/fast-slow/#comment-36 Bob Wed, 31 Dec 1969 23:59:59 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=62#comment-36 Dustin, what you're advocating is more likely to end up in disaster than success over the long term. Sure, there are some shining examples of successful seat-of-the-pants decision-makers (and more likely to be individuals rather than entire companies), but that's because they're the ones who got the press. There are hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of others out there who are just as successful, but are more measured in their risk-taking.<BR/><BR/>If you visualize "risk-taking" as a continuum ranging from "risk averse" to "risk loving", I think you'll find most companies would rather have their leadership ranked toward, but somewhere BELOW the "risk loving" level.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to conduct a survey of the Fortune 1000 and see where their leadership ranks on that scale. There are relatively few in this list who operate entirely your way.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand...<BR/><BR/>I love the idea of the "damn-the-torpedoes" philosophy, and in fact, I advocate the integration of it in business as well as life. <BR/><BR/>But I still believe balance is the key to long-term success. Dustin, what you’re advocating is more likely to end up in disaster than success over the long term. Sure, there are some shining examples of successful seat-of-the-pants decision-makers (and more likely to be individuals rather than entire companies), but that’s because they’re the ones who got the press. There are hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of others out there who are just as successful, but are more measured in their risk-taking.

If you visualize “risk-taking” as a continuum ranging from “risk averse” to “risk loving”, I think you’ll find most companies would rather have their leadership ranked toward, but somewhere BELOW the “risk loving” level.

I’d love to conduct a survey of the Fortune 1000 and see where their leadership ranks on that scale. There are relatively few in this list who operate entirely your way.

On the other hand…

I love the idea of the “damn-the-torpedoes” philosophy, and in fact, I advocate the integration of it in business as well as life.

But I still believe balance is the key to long-term success.

]]> By: Dustin Walper http://middlezonemusings.com/fast-slow/#comment-37 Dustin Walper Wed, 31 Dec 1969 23:59:59 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/?p=62#comment-37 NO!<BR/><BR/>Balance is what normal people try to achieve! A balanced portfolio, a balanced life, a balanced relationship...<BR/><BR/>I advocate that you try to be UNbalanced! Focus on one thing at a time with all of your energy. Run headling into danger whenever you need to take big risks. <BR/><BR/>I think the biggest thing holding most people back from being great is a lack of focus. Hmmm, you may have just inspired today's blog post. NO!

Balance is what normal people try to achieve! A balanced portfolio, a balanced life, a balanced relationship…

I advocate that you try to be UNbalanced! Focus on one thing at a time with all of your energy. Run headling into danger whenever you need to take big risks.

I think the biggest thing holding most people back from being great is a lack of focus. Hmmm, you may have just inspired today’s blog post.

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