The Question Behind the Question

This is another installment of our continuing series from John G. Miller's book, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The Risk of Doing Nothing

A senior leader of a financial institution told me, "Sometimes people say to me, 'I don't want to take risks.' I tell them, 'You and I had better take risks, because there are about a dozen people at their computers right now in this building trying to eliminate our jobs!'" What was he really saying? None of us has guaranteed job security, and our lack of initiative today may guarantee our lack of employment tomorrow. Taking action may seem risky, but doing nothing is a bigger risk!

Even though there are risks involved in taking action, the alternative, inaction, is almost never the better choice:

• Action, even when it leads to mistakes, brings learning and growth. Inaction brings stagnation and atrophy.

• Action leads us toward solutions. Inaction at best does nothing and holds us in the past.

• Action requires courage. Inaction often indicates fear.

• Action builds confidence; inaction, doubt.

A friend said, "It's better to be one who is told to wait, than one who waits to be told."

Decide what to do. Then take action.