Part 2 --- Reasonable Risks

One thing is certain in life success is not guaranteed. Every day we must make choices that involve risks, some are big and some are small. There may be risks to our finances, reputation, and self-confidence if result is failure. Indeed, people are influenced by environment, however, a healthy sense of self comes from knowing that a person does have personal locis of control. Such awareness is helpful in reducing liklihood of being overwhelmed by environmental stressors and allowing for better decision-making when confronted with complex challenges.

The willingness to take reasonable risks reveals much about character. The willingness to take reasonable risks shows not only confidence, but promotes resilence in the face of failure and reflects the Productivity Principle.


Throughtout history, it's clear America's character is rooted in the idea of taking reasonable risks. From Christopher Columbus who sailed the ocean blue to the Early Settlers who came later too. Regardless of the reason the various groups came to America, the journey involved reasonable risks.

Dolly Madison took reasonable risk not just when she preserved a national treasure, but like Abigail Adams, was truly a pioneer for Women Equality. Her interest and engagement in political affairs was beyond expected norms.

Abraham Lincoln managed crisis when the nation was ravaged by regional divisions and war. He faced reasonable risks for preserving the union.


Reverand Martin Luther King faced reasonable risks not only to himself but also towards his family. He suffered at the hands of fellow African Americans who allowed fear and doubt to reign in their hearts and mind.

Reverand King understood the scripture, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." King understood the risks and boldly declared, "Like anybody, I would like to live a long life...But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man!"

Thomas Edison, Graham Bell, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg revolutionalized how we interact with one another. Success was not guaranteed and involved reasonable  risks.

Many presidents took reasonable political risks in the course of fulfilling duties.

Probably the most salient examples include:
John Kennedy --- Cuban Missle Crisis
Lyndon Johnson --- Civil Rights Act
Richard Nixon --- Inaugural Trip to China
Gerald Ford --- Pardon of Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter --- Middle East Mediation
Reagan --- Tax Reform
George Bush Sr. --- Persian Gulf War
Bill Clinton --- Welfare Reform
George Bush Jr. --- TARP
Barack Obama --- Authorizing Raid of Osama Bin Laden's Compound in Pakistan

In all these examples, it may not have been clearly evident that such actions would lead to desired outcomes; success. The willingness to take reasonable risks in the face of uncertainty is salient.

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Now, there's a candidate in the 2012 presidential campaign (oh, let's not be coy, it's Mitt Romney) who is touting his experience in business as a relevant factor qualifying him to be president. Well, let's examine his business experience. What is meaningful for the subject of this blog is the excerpt of the book, 'The Real Romney' by Michael Kranish and Scott Helman, Boston Globe reporters (as read on 'Last Word with Lawrence Show')

"Bain -- Bill Bain proposed Romney would become the head of a new company to be called Bain Capital, with seed money from Bill Bain and other partners at Bain and Company. Bain Capital would raise tens of millions of dollars, invest in start-ups and troubled businesses, apply Bain's brand of management advice, and then resell the revitalized companies or sell their shares to the public for a profit. "Romney explained to Bain that he didn't want to risk his position, earnings, and reputation on an experiment. So Bain sweetened the pot. Bill Bain guaranteed that if the experiment failed, Romney would get his old job and salary back, plus any raises he would've earned during his absence. "Still, Romney worried about the impact of his reputation -- on his reputation if he proved unable to do the job. Again, the pot was sweetened. Bain promised that if necessary, he would craft a cover story" -- a what? "He would craft a cover story saying that Romney's return to Bain and Company was needed because of his value as a consultant." So what did Mitt Romney risk in starting this so-called small business that he really didn't start? Absolutely nothing, not a penny. As Bill Bain explains it in "The Real Romney," quote, "there was no professional or financial risk," end of story.

Mitt Romney has shown that he clearly would not only mislead the public, but willing to do and say thing to obtain a position...as long as he is substantially immune to even reasonable risks himself. Now the business community, including Wall Street investors should take this as an affront.

The question may be asked does Romney think he is or should be guaranteed unfettered success and by default entails no responsibility for failure? The most important question should be is Romney a business leader or an opportunist?



Further Review


Related Blog --- Part 1 --- Reasonable Risks

Philippians 4:13 --- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Romans 8:18 --- "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Richard Cohen --- Mitt Romney's Business Plan

The Weekly Standard --- The Risk-Averse Romney

Opportunist --- "Unprincipled resourceful person: somebody who takes advantage of something, especially somebody who does so in a devious, unscrupulous, or unprincipled way."