Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area, I am….and will always be….a Steeler fan.  As you can imagine, it has been difficult to watch their games this year.  Following today’s game I was watching the press conference when a reporter asked Kenny Pickett a question regarding risk and reward.  He wanted to know how he measured the risk versus reward factor when he is throwing a ball into coverage.  Pickett’s response?  If we are late in the game and we need the points, I am going to take the risk!

As I thought about the question, I began to wonder how many of my students chose not to do things because of the perceived risk.  Perhaps it wasn’t the risk that held them back, but what they perceived as a lack of reward.  Which is more critical, risking and falling short….or not risking at all?  And why, if there is even a small possibility for success, would anyone choose not to risk?  Risk implies change and change is necessary to growth.  And we all should aspire to growth.

Today, no every day, I encourage you to help your students to understand the risk versus reward conflict.  Now to be clear, I am not talking about life and death type of risks, but those every day decisions we must confront for personal and professional success.  I suspect the risk/reward factor must be defined by each individual, but the fact that growth requires change and change requires risk is true for all of us.  So if you are late in the game and you need points, go ahead….take the risk!

Make Today a Magnificent Day!

Gary L Rupert

Lead Mentor/COO

II:Leaders Creating:II Leaders

LCL Mentors @ Marching Arts Education