What if the biggest risk was refusing to take them?

Taking measured risks allows us to grow, gain self-confidence and move forward in life. It's essential to overcome our fears in order to seize opportunities and become the best version of ourselves. It's well worth the effort!

What's behind the expression "taking risks?"

Taking risks can be broken down into different types of risk, from vital risk to perceived risk, such as "imposter syndrome".

Types of risk

To assess the types of risk each of us is prepared to take, we need to put each situation and experience into perspective.

We can draw a parallel between different types of risk and Maslow's pyramid of needs:

• Vital risks, out of necessity (food, shelter): when access to basic physiological needs is threatened, risks become unavoidable in order to meet them.
• Security risks, out of obligation: in contexts of insecurity, risks must be taken to protect oneself and one's loved ones.
• Personal and creative risks, out of vocation: some people are prepared to sacrifice stability and security out of passion for an ideal or a cause beyond themselves. These risks are linked to the need for fulfillment at the top of Maslow's pyramid.
  

Taking risks sometimes means risking one's life, fortunately not often in our society.
Generally speaking, we think of risk as stepping out of our comfort zone, facing up to the unknown and uncertainty. But this can give rise to inner fears: fear of failure, fear of how others will look at you, fear of instability and so on.

Do you need courage to take risks?

There's a complex link between courage and risk-taking, which is highly context-dependent. But in all cases, courage and lucidity are valuable assets in the face of uncertainty.

In certain situations, risks are imposed by necessity or external constraint. In such cases, courage consists in accepting the reality of the risks involved, and facing them with lucidity rather than passively accepting them. In such cases, courage enables us to take the inevitable risks in the best possible way, maintaining our composure and determination. Even risks that have been undergone can be assumed with bravery.

In our society, risk is different. It requires a certain amount of courage, but not one that puts the individual's life at risk. In this case, taking risks generally involves stepping out of one's comfort zone, confronting the unknown and uncertainty.

Transcending these fears, moving forward despite obstacles and potential dangers, undeniably requires a form of courage. Courage gives us the strength to act with determination, despite our doubts and anxieties.

Why is today's society so risk-averse?

The fact that we live in unprecedented security and have most of our needs met has created a kind of desire for a risk-free society. As soon as a risk, real or otherwise, is identified, it becomes the subject of anxiety-provoking articles, which are then taken up by many managers who respond to the desire to contain this risk.

A whole series of factors explain this evolution:

• A heightened sense of insecurity, amplified by media coverage of the dangers. The result is a more fearful society.
• A search for comfort and material stability, which makes us more averse to questioning. Conformity is reassuring.
• Strong social and parental pressure to succeed and conform, which discourages risky autonomy.
• A dominant culture of risk aversion and control, including in institutions like schools. It rubs off on mentalities.
• The weight of regulations and legal standards, which strictly control entrepreneurial or social initiatives.
• A lack of historical perspective: recent generations have not experienced major upheavals requiring boldness and adaptation.

The greatest risk for our societies undoubtedly lies in this apprehension of risk.

Risk or stagnation?

Even if life-threatening risk has all but disappeared, a society whose members all had an extreme aversion to risk-taking would be a stagnant one, incapable of progress.

Progress means exploring new possibilities. This inevitably involves risk:

1. risk of failure,
2. wasting time or resources,
3. displeasing others.

Without an acceptance of risk and uncertainty, no significant innovation is possible.
A society paralyzed by fear of risk would deprive itself of the visionary ideas, entrepreneurial spirit and creativity required to develop and adapt to challenges. It would get bogged down in routine and the repetition of existing patterns.

A generalized aversion to risk would inevitably lead a society to stagnation, or even regression.

Innovation = risk-taking?

Innovating requires taking certain risks, but with a few nuances. Any significant innovation involves exploring new approaches, the results of which cannot be predicted with any certainty. There is therefore a risk of failure, criticism or rejection by those who prefer stability.

Innovation requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and accepting a degree of uncertainty. But the risk has to be calculated, and the hypotheses solidly supported by reason. Risk-taking is therefore not an end in itself, but a possible means to a well-considered innovation. Risk often accompanies innovation, but does not define it on its own.

What's the difference between risk-taking and adventurism?

The key nuance lies in the balance between audacity and prudence, vision and pragmatism. Enlightened courage takes risks for a cause greater than oneself. Adventurism is more an individual quest for sensations.

Here are a few ways to distinguish thoughtful risk-taking from reckless adventurism:

• Responsible risk-taking is based on a rational analysis of dangers and opportunities. Adventurism responds above all to a thoughtless impulse.
• Calculated risk is based on defined objectives, resources and skills. Adventurism is often more improvised and approximate.
• Constructive risk-taking means listening to prudent advice. Adventurism tends to ignore all objections.
• Ethical risk-taking means weighing up the consequences for others. Adventurism is more egocentric.
• Taking risks requires determination, but also the flexibility to adapt. Adventurism is often synonymous with stubbornness.
• The right amount of risk-taking leads to progress.
  Excessive adventurism leads to excess and failure.

Creative destruction

Schumpeter saw economic progress as a dynamic process in which new innovations supplant and "destroy" existing models and businesses. This is what he called "creative destruction".

To enable this dynamic process of innovation, entrepreneurs have to take risks by investing in new ideas or technologies whose success is not guaranteed. If they didn't dare, there would be no "creative destruction".

The comfort zone and why and how to get out of it

The"comfort zone" refers to a psychological state in which a person operates under familiar and predictable conditions. This induces a sense of security and control over the situation.
The comfort zone can be seen as a way of avoiding risk and the unknown. Staying in this reassuring zone minimizes anxiety. But this leads to stagnation and prevents personal or social growth.

School, a key player

During their school years, children hear phrases like :

• You're useless, you'll never make it
• You don't understand anything
• Good for nothing!
• etc.

can only inhibit young people, who may be left scarred by them. The school's mission should be to instill confidence in learners and avoid definitive invalidating comments.

The pedagogy of positive experiences

Lack of self-confidence can give rise to unnecessary fears. From the earliest age, self-confidence needs to be built into learning, to encourage initiative and the desire to learn through the pleasure of success. This is humanist pedagogy.

The idea of positive experience pedagogy is to encourage learning through rewarding experiences.

In concrete terms, this means that teachers must :

• Highlight each student's strengths and progress. Encourage and congratulate, even for small victories.
• Giving positive feedback on what has been achieved before pointing out mistakes. Criticize to help progress.
• Value the student's effort and approach, even if the result is not perfect.
• Create activities that allow students to experience success, not just summative assessments.
• Personalize learning by taking into account each student's interests and strengths.
• Cultivate a caring classroom climate where students dare without fear of being belittled.

Summary

Societies that encourage risk-taking, in a measured and conscious way, enable innovation and personal and collective development. The "comfort zone", though reassuring, is a trap that leads to stagnation; getting out of it is often perceived as a liberating adventure. Education plays a crucial role in building self-confidence and preparing individuals to act boldly and wisely.