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Leaders Take The Leap

April 25, 2012 By 6 Comments

Remember when you were a kid, standing on one ledge and wondering if you could jump to the other side? Some kids jumped the gap and in doing so they looked awesome. Others launched fearfully and failed, some launched hard but didn’t have enough strength, and some never tried at all. But they all made a choice.

Will you risk it, and take the leap?

One of the hardest things in life is taking the leap. Over and over again we are confronted with gaps that we do not know how to cross. Should I change jobs? Do I talk to that girl? Is moving a good idea? Do I want to leave my comfortable situation and face the unknown?

And why are these decisions so hard? That is simple: Fear.

I don’t want to fail. Failing is embarrassing, painful, and hard.

So here are the options:

Stay Put: There will always be those who never take risks. While this may seem safe, it is only safe if is is right.

Launch Prematurely: Some people are destined to leap, but not yet. Launching to soon is sure to disappoint.

Launching Fearfully: While simply believing you will succeed is not going to ensure success, focusing on the probability of your failure is probably going to guarantee that failure.

Leap: Calculate, commit, and jump!

While I cannot guarantee success for those that take the leap, I can promise this:

If you never leap you will never know what is on the other side.

Whether you are a senior in college or a senior administrator, don’t be afraid to leap!

What ledge are you standing on right now? Where do you need to take that leap?

 

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  • Lynnae Lawson

    I’m so glad you included “stay put” as a viable option–all too often we are encouraged to leap just for a change of scene or circumstance and we end up leaping prematurely. That said, I have to admit that I am generally overcautious and stay put when I should be leaping. Your final statement is so true: “If you never leap you will never know what is on the other side.” I am slowly learning–as I stand at cliffs of employment, relationships, and ownership–the joy Christ gives when I lay aside my fears and take those leaps of faith.  

  • http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

    Powerful post, Noah! We will never know what’s on the other side if we don’t take that leap.

    • http://www.noahlomax.com/ Noah Lomax

      Thanks man! It’s the position I’m in right now, and those are the best to write about.

  • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

    Great post and reminder. I needed to hear this right now. I have a great opportunity right now which I’m fearful in doing but know it’s a good opportunity. I keep telling myself the benefits in doing, put fear aside, and leap. It’s hard.

    • http://www.noahlomax.com/ Noah Lomax

      Sweet man! I totally support calculated risks!

  • http://dbartosik.com/ david bartosik

    Great word Noah— had a recent conversation about some one who who in this very situation.  I compared the person who was currently in the position and the person who has been selected to step in.  The difference?  The guy who has been asked to step in is a risk taker and willing to take those steps.  Great trait that distinguishes leaders….how much risk are you willing to take.  The challenge in my mind comes when you take risk…it fails….how well are you able to keep everyone on board with your vision, or does it quickly fall apart and you are left with nothing!  The two go hand in hand.  How much risk am I willing to risk with the knowledge that if it fails how much do I have the capacity to recover from.  

    The calculating step would be valuable….just don’t stay there too long :)