Throughout history I know there has always been the challenge:  Rules Versus Risk–Taking…What’s The Balance?  What side do YOU come down on?  Are you someone who is strong with following the rules at work or at play?  Or do you look at the rules…identify the “gray” areas…and proceed to bend the rules to see what else can happen?  As you can guess there are no right or wrong answers to the Rules Versus Risk-Taking…What’s The Balance situation!  However, it is professional development appropriate to offer a recommendation about the “Balance” issue.

First let me say that I admire and respect those who help us all by identifying and enforcing rules.  Their role helps maintain order in our society and workplace operations.  However, as everyone reading this knows…I am a calculated risk taker in all aspects of my life.  Change is an every day natural action…so taking appropriate risks only seems like a logical progressive proactive step to better determine your work/life future!  It has never been my intent to totally “break” established rules.  Rather my purpose/goal was/still is to offer responsible risk-taking alternatives to products/services/policies/programs that just might be better.

So, are most of you thinking that I am ignoring the “Balance” part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message?

When you are facing the Rules Versus Risk-Taking…What’s The Balance dilemma, I want you to remember the 3-R’s:  RESPECT-RESPONSBILITY-RETURN.  I believe following these words will always keep you in the “right” when balancing rules versus risk-taking.  Because applying the balance must be something taken very peronally, RESPECT for the rules and those who guard them is critical.  Next, along with RESPECT one must always appreciate those carrying RESPONSIBILITY for applying and enforcing the rules.  The order and discipline they must maintain is vital when considering risk-taking change and growth.  Finally think about RETURN.  RETURN for your support of quality rules will produce consistency, understandability, reliability…all positive business and organization operational factors…AND typically make way for cool risk-taking possibilities!

Balancing is hard but necessary…can you do it?