During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if elected, to appoint the first woman to the United States Supreme Court. Six months after his inauguration, President Reagan kept his promise ? nominating a member of the Arizona Court of Appeals. The Senate soon confirmed her by a vote of 99-0.
Recently, Sandra Day O'Connor sent a short letter to the current Chief Executive announcing her retirement: "It has been a great privilege, indeed, to have served as a member of the court for 24 terms. I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the court and its role under our constitutional structure."
President Reagan made history by appointing a woman to the Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor made her own history by casting the deciding vote on 136 cases, including some highly emotional issues. The willingness of both the president and the justice to take risks helped change the country.
Success Handler Action: Robert F. Kennedy said, "Only those who dare to fail greatly ever achieve greatly." As an entrepreneur, you took a leap of faith by starting your small business. If you've been at it for a while, are you still willing to take big risks, or do you often find yourself deadlocked on difficult decisions? After you finish reading this E-Newsletter, use these questions to determine if you're becoming more or less of a risk-taker:
~ Where are the innovative ideas in your industry, and are you ahead or behind the curve?
~ When was the last time you introduced a new product/service or bought new equipment?
~ Who do you turn to for guidance, and how often do you consult with them?
~ What is your reaction when you hear other business owners talk about their latest initiatives?
~ How often do you read magazines like "Fast Company" or visit leading-edge Websites?
One of the biggest reasons people take less risk as they get more successful is the fear of losing what they worked so hard to gain. When you had nothing, there was nothing to have taken away. However, if you're not continuing to pursue the edge in your small business ? "placing enough interesting, freakish, long shot, weirdo bets," in the words of management guru Tom Peters ? then you are creating a weakness that your competition can exploit.
Success Handler Action: With your team, discuss the opportunities awaiting you in the second half of the year. Seek their input on some of the decisions you've been avoiding because you're concerned about the risk. Also, encourage your team members to take their own risks, so they can grow. Here are five ways to help them start acting like risk-takers:
1. Explain the importance of change, and assure them it's normal to fear new approaches.
2. Coach team members on how to think like an entrepreneur and take ownership of their individual roles.
3. Give them more responsibility, grooming them as leaders.
4. Challenge them to look for new and better ways to do things.
5. Allow them to fail occasionally?and support them when they do.
Growing up on her grandfather's 200,000 acre cattle ranch in Arizona, Sandra Day O'Connor learned the importance of hard work and discipline. Upon graduating third in her class from Stanford law school in 1952, she couldn't get a job in Arizona, because no private firm would take the risk of hiring a woman. She credits these experiences as shaping her later judicial opinions.
Justice O'Connor said, "Slaying the dragon of delay is no sport for the short-winded." While you most likely will never serve on the Supreme Court, the people you serve every day in your small business are counting on you to keep moving forward and being innovative. Commit once again to being the entrepreneur you are, and start being the risk-taker you once were.
Copyright © 2005 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there ? as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
If I had $1.00 every time I heard someone say... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More
Starting a business? For many people, the bravery to venture... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is... Read More
When is the Chamber ideal for your business?Joining a Chamber... Read More
It has been said that the only constant is change.... Read More
What image do you and your people portray to your... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More
What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More
Debt collection letters--an overview"Debt collection letter" in the singular may... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More
How many hours do you work a week? When was... Read More
People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More
Before you want to build your business, you need to... Read More
When it comes to cost, how much can you afford... Read More
There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't... Read More
Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
Looking for a place to add a Quick Lube away... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
No matter your age or station in life, we all... Read More
Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
If you are the boss and you think your job... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
On June 8, 2004, the world witnessed what no one... Read More
Yes, that IS security when nobody can downsize you because... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
What is a Family Business? A family business is basically... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
If you are looking for a way to own your... Read More
Would you rather have one good client paying you five... Read More
The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission decided to sit down and revamp... Read More
If you want to start a business in 2005, and... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the... Read More
There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
That's right are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
Small Business |