Beyond Fear: Moving from Risk Avoidance to Risk Awareness
Just the other day, in two unrelated situations, I had to make 'risky' calls. One had the potential to harm an organisation’s reputation; the other required putting myself out there and risking disappointment. Interestingly, the former — despite seemingly having higher stakes — was easier to process. I made the call without hesitation. The latter? That took some deliberation.
We tend to associate risk with big, dramatic moments — starting a business, investing money, or making a career leap. But in reality, we take risks every single day. Every day, we speak up in meetings, share our opinions, and trust someone with our thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Even choosing not to act is a risk — one of missed opportunity.
So why do we sometimes become indecisive or choose not to act when we perceive something as risky?
The key isn’t just taking risks — it’s understanding them. Ignoring or avoiding risk doesn’t make it go away. Instead, learning to assess it properly puts us in control.
Most people sit at one of two extremes: avoiding all risk or diving in without thinking. When we’re young, we often lean towards one extreme — jumping in headfirst. I remember when I first wanted to get married, my dad gave me a reality check: “Niyaaz, trou is nie perd koop nie — Getting married isn't like buying a horse.” In other words, big decisions need to be weighed carefully. That’s why true success comes from intentional risk-taking. Having risk awareness helps us:
Make smarter decisions
Build confidence through uncertainty
Understand when to push ahead and when to hold back.
Fear: The Biggest Barrier to Taking Risks
One of the biggest barriers to taking risks is fear. But fear, like any emotion, is just a signal — it tells us that something matters. The question is: Is this fear protecting me, or is it holding me back?
How to Work Through the Fear of Risk-Taking
Here are four ways to manage fear when facing a risk:
Reframe it – Instead of “What if I fail?” ask, “What if this works?”
Reality check it – Ask yourself: "How likely is this risk to actually play out? And if it does, what’s the real impact?" Our minds tend to amplify worst-case scenarios, but when we break them down logically, they’re often far less daunting.
Bite-size it – Not all risks need to be all-or-nothing. Can you test the waters first? What’s the smallest step you can take now?
Flip it – What’s the risk of not taking the risk? Sometimes, staying put is the riskiest move of all.
What About You?
What’s a risk you’ve taken recently — big or small? How did it turn out? I’d love to hear your story — drop a comment or send me a message!
If this resonated with you, share it with someone who might need this reminder. You never know who might need to hear this today.
If you want to get better at assessing and managing risk — whether in leadership, business, or life — let’s talk. Book a free chat here: complimentary strategy session.
