Taking Smart Risks: How Sharp Leaders Win When Stakes are High

by Doug Sundheim, Doug Sundheim

Risk is built into every choice we make, but few of us know how to manage risk taking to our advantage or implement it strategically across an organization.

Leadership expert Doug Sundheim challenges and redefines what it means to take risks and lays out the five essential elements of smart risk taking: Find Something Worth Fighting For; See the Future Now; Act Fast, Learn Fast; Communicate Powerfully; and Create a Smart Risk Culture.

Each chapter provides real-life Fortune 500 and entrepreneurial stories and detailed, practical exercises and tools for action to help individuals and organizations learn how to make taking smarter risks a good habit.

Genres: Business, Professional Development

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

For over 20 years, Doug Sundheim has helped leaders from Fortune 500 companies to small entrepreneurial firms get out of their comfort zones to take smart risks. His approach is grounded in both research-based practices and firing-line experiences for what really works in business.

Here's what Michael Hejtmanek, President & CEO of camera company Hasselblad Bron Inc., has to say about Taking Smart Risks:

"A spectacular book! The stories were powerful, the advice was crystal clear, and every few pages called me to action. I have bookmarked more pages in [Doug's book] than I have in any book since reading Peter Drucker's classics."

Doug lives with his wife and two sons outside New York City. Connect with him at Twitter.com/DougSundheim, LinkedIn/DougSundheim and at www.takingsmartrisks.com.

Reviews

[Ryan Blanchette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core of the the concept of taking "risk" is posited to be an element of the foundation of a meaningful life, which is a useful (and true) perspective. This is a useful business book that has tools that I will use. Specifically the 2x2 risk analysis tool that looks at all sides of decisions from a cost-benefit perspective. There are other "mini-gems" like the concept of striving to learn from people from outside of your walk of life, using a set of probing questions and some others. Really 3.5 stars but I rounded up.

[Cornelis Scholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be misled by the punctuality of this book. Sure, it has amazing points when it comes to handling a business or corporation, but what's quite unique is how those same points can be implemented into one's own life. Really good book. Definitely a 10/10.

[Christopher J Sorenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reinforces the obvious and cherry picks positive examples. Had some nice ways of framing situations, and I enjoyed a few of the insights, particularly around communication

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, helpful, and practical guide to setting on your own—and influencing others’—path toward smart risk taking, with tools for maintaining and evolving the process over time.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some key points are useful. But generally fluff. Too wordy, just read the summaries.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, the best quote from this book is "If you don't start somewhere, you'll never get anywhere". Great read!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Tim Laukka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book on overall business management. It covers much more than taking risks. I thought it contained many sound principles for any business manager.