Blog #7
11-9-22
Taking a chance
Someone once took a chance on me. Well, truly, many people have, but one such encounter has been profoundly impactful on my life. I was young, freshly out of college, wide eyed, engaged to be married and completely void of any corporate experience. A chance was taken, perhaps more calculated than it seemed from my perspective, but taken none the less. And now nearly 25 years later I still hold that person in the highest regard. He is my mentor, trusted advisor, and friend. A lifetime bond started from a single chance.
Later in my career, I found myself in a position to take a chance on a new hire. This person’s life circumstances put them in a stereotype box that made them easy to be ignored. At that time, and for that employer, my operation was growing. I needed to add more people to my team to keep up with our path of trajectory. A young person that I had gotten to know asked for some advice on moving their career forward. So, I shared my thoughts on the matter. This person had already left a mark with me. My intuitive voice told me that this was someone special. Over the next few years, we continued conversations as they executed on the plan we created. A wonderful relationship was built, and their career continues to grow. This experience has been one of my life’s highlights because it allowed me to give back and reinforced how interconnected our lives are. All from a single chance.
And now as an entrepreneur, with a young family business, I often find myself in a position where all clients are new and must decide whether to take a chance on us or not. Some do not. I suppose they prefer to stick with what they know and are comfortable with, and I respect that. But some clients do take a chance on us, and that makes all the difference for us both. A relationship is built, exposing the client to new services and products, perhaps offering a fresh perspective or competitive edge in a tough industry. All from a single chance.
Taking a chance can sound and feel risky. As a risk adverse person myself, I get it. Maybe the calculated risk is not actually risky? My final thought on the matter is one of reflection- the chances extended to me have made for significant and positive impacts in my life. But really it is those chances I took on others that resonate and bring me enduring fulfillment.