Out of all the things you call me, you might call me a risk taker, first. There’s a quirk in my personality that demands I do exactly what those around me say I cannot do. My ‘risk-taking personality’ has led to some of the greatest triumphs and humbling disasters in 29 years of my life.
As humans, we struggle with risk. When a moment calls for action, we stumble between wanting to play it safe and wanting to be a hero. Any successful business owner or aspiring business woman knows that it’s how we act under pressure that shows others who we truly are. Our approach to the struggle between safety and greatness, creates our true ‘risk-personality.’ And it is, our ‘risk-personality’ that will determine our success. I say, if you can find out WHO you are and what your ‘risk-personality’ is, you can immediately begin to understand your greatest strengths.
If you asked me what my greatest risk was, the answer would be simple. There’s a common misconception for women in business today. We’re taught that to function in a man’s world, we need to ‘act’ like men. I can’t think of anything farther from the truth. The moment we declare that a man’s actions are perceived to be stronger, or more important than a woman’s, we buy into a losing philosophy. I decided long ago, that I wouldn’t function as a man or a woman in business, but rather, as “Kate-Madonna.” My largest risk, has been in being myself. I know myself, and I know that the truer I stay to my own personality and strengths, the less I’ll have to compete with people who are merely playing a role instead of bringing their authentic selves to the table. I don’t see my strength as male or female, and I certainly don’t see my emotion as a weakness. My business relationships have been built because I didn’t offer a ‘male’ perspective or hide my truest passions and reactions out of fear of being labeled. For those that choose to label me, I ultimately win. Why? The more people understand who I am and what I bring the table, the more they’ll recognize my traits in others. Labeling is another way of being original. Good business knows no sex, creed or origin. Good business thrives because the people behind the brand ARE the message. I try to be both.
We are taught from a very young age that differences only rock the boat. Many of us submit to a belief in high school that conformity will bring us happiness. Those strongest and most successful in business have learned that their differences, personality and originality is what creates winning brands.
Take a risk in being yourself. It’s the greatest strength you offer. And you’ll find? It’s not a risk at all.
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Kate-Madonna Hindes, is an industry leader and national author and speaker on emotional integrity and authenticity in today’s online media. Her columns are regularly published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Brazen Careerist and JobDig. Check out her website, Girl Meets Geek.
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January 19th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Great post Kate, what are your thoughts about your business niche being geared toward men or women. Do you think the same “good business, knows no sex, creed or origin” holds true?
January 19th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
This article made me smile and exhale someone else gets it! It’s good to believe in yourself in both life and in business.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Jill,
I think that there are business niche’s out there that NEED to be geared towards females or males, but good business practice, needs to remain. I watched a program on wedding vendors a few years ago. I was struck at how the different vendors operated. One vendor giggled a lot and didn’t promote her professionalism, while the wedding coordinator seemed very on-target and professional. I was immediately turned off that one woman tried to be coy and ‘girly.’ When they showed her behind the scenes, she was much more intelligent than she portrayed herself to be. We forget that while we may only really serve men or women, referrals and networking are an important part of our strategy. We cannot operate just as ‘females’ or ‘males’ and expect to magnetize the group that is marginalized. I think, no matter our audience, if we simply adopt the philosophy that we are going to be true to our own selves, we won’t have to worry about catering to someone who might not, “get us.” Maybe it’s not, “Good business knows no sex, creed, or orgin,” but “Good Business Practice, knows no sex, creed or orgin.”
I loved that you asked this question. You made my brain go into overdrive.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
April,
I’m honored that this resonated with you. When I was originally asked, “What was your biggest risk,” I immediately tried to think of financial situations. Sometimes, our biggest risk is being vulnerable and open. I also think, that brings the biggest reward. What do you think your biggest risk has been?
January 20th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
[...] business leader? In fact, I just wrote a piece for international company, CRAVE focusing on the role of sex and leadership. The more we perpetuate the sexist claims that only women are good at communicating and only [...]
January 26th, 2011 at 8:46 am
I am a risk taker and proud of it You mentioned in your article how it brings huge rewards and humbling defeats which is absolutely true. I believe that my unwillingness to conform to stereotypes on how people think I should act or behave has alternately hurt and helped me. I also believe that faith in one’s self and knowing what you bring to the table in terms of true worth is critical and necessary in a sea of doubters. It’s not easy but hang in there! I just earned a career changing promotion that was in my opinion long ove due. Everyone thought it would go to someone else, including me. I was considered a few years ago and rejected but this time around I was honest on why I wanted it and listed reasons why I earned it. Yes, a high risk tactic that easily could’ve backfired but this time it worked in my favor.