benefit the sale if he could understand all the data. I spent
extra time with him until he was he able to recognize the
benefit that we offered. I took a risk of putting in extra
effort, and it paid off.”“Have you ever not taken a risk and later regretted
it?”
■“On the personal side I would tell you that I made some
investments that I wish that I hadn’t, but nothing of that
nature at work. I play it pretty conservative at work.”
■“I took a risk by taking a new job that I wasn’t really ready
for. It was an ‘acting supervisor job.’ In the beginning,
I have to admit I struggled with the position. When they
offered it to me as a regular position, I should have said,
no, but I was afraid I would get passed over the next time.
I took the job and eventually ended up being laid off.
That job was not for me, and I knew it. I should have
trusted my instincts.”
■“I have many regrets in my career, but I consider them
all learning experiences. One risk I took was taking a job
selling a product that I did not believe would work. Well,
it didn’t, and I ended up feeling bad about all the people
I had sold it to. I am an ethical person who really has to
believe in the product that I am selling.”
“Tell me about the most successful risk you’ve taken.”
■“I didn’t feel I was ready to take on added responsibility in
my last job. My boss was a great mentor and coach and
encouraged me to try the new tasks. They involved work-
ing with the international team, and I was intimidated
because of my lack of exposure to the global picture. It
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