INSIDE OUTNOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED
Steve never took that particular risk. It was just a fantasy with
him. There was no economic force driving him, nor was there
the same thing that pushed Larry—the spirit of adventure, the
need for wider opportunities, a chance at power.
But some weeks ago I read in Variety that Steve had indeed
taken a risk, a long shot, motivated by the same spirit of adventure
that moved Larry. Instead of selling his latest screenplay, he had
decided to produce and direct the film himself. The point of it
all, according to the article, was that now Steve would have complete
control over his story. He had the power, and along with it the
responsibility of the production—and the risk of failure.
All of us, no matter what level we operate on, must learn that
we cannot gain power in a business unless we are willing to chance
something, and to be responsible for our own risks.
Before you take a risk, you must know what the consequences
are. Before Larry gave up his job as hospital administrator, he
had to know just what would happen if he failed. Not all risks
succeed. Although Larry did well, in a sink-or-swim situation he
could have sunk. He could have found himself with a job he
couldn't manage, and, after a month, without either job. He knew
the risk, but still, he had this to say:
"You just can't go around taking risks like I did. You have to
be responsible for your actions."
"But how did you manage it?"
"I think the head of the corporation sensed something in me,
that told him I was aggressive enough to succeed. I think it was
my willingness to take a risk. I knew exactly what I was doing
and what the odds were. It worked for me."