Risk/Reward : Why Intelligent Leaps and Daring Choices Are the Best Career Moves You Can Make

**A persuasive and eye-opening look at the importance of embracing risk in our working lives—and how to use it to achieve lifelong career success** Some of us relish the chance to fly without a net, others . . . not so much. But no matter how adventurous we might be in our personal lives, most of us are wary of allowing risk into our careers. With an economy in constant flux and a job market in which uncertainty is the only constant, stepping outside one’s comfort zone can feel dangerous. But as the findings of this eye-opening and urgent book attest, the __avoidance__ of risk might pose the greatest danger of all to our career prospects. In __Risk/Reward,__ trend-spotter and career guru Anne Kreamer makes the compelling case that embracing risk is essential to managing a twenty-first-century career. Risk-taking isn’t just for entrepreneurs, nor does it require working on a figurative tightrope. Rather, Kreamer says, conscious, consistent, and modest risk-taking can help us become more able to recognize opportunity when it appears, and more likely to seize the chance to make the right change at the right moment. __Risk/Reward__ presents a framework for making the most of today’s ever-evolving workplace and turning risk-taking into a daily practice. Using proprietary data from three national studies about the American worker, Kreamer explores the importance of career risk-taking through profiles of four Risk/Reward personality types: Pioneers, Thinkers, Defenders, and Drifters. She presents a Risk/Reward Matrix that anyone can use to identify his or her own innate risk threshold, and she identifies constructive ways to implement risk in everyday situations—from initiating an uncomfortable conversation with a boss to sharing out-of-the-box ideas with colleagues or constructively challenging long-held practices in an organization. Peppered throughout __Risk/Reward__ are insights and hard-won wisdom from notable achievers such as bestselling author Anna Quindlen, journalist Jane Pauley, CNBC financial maven Jim Cramer, thought leader Po Bronson, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. Timely and insightful, __Risk/Reward__ is a unique blend of practical and inspirational wisdom that even the most risk-averse person can harness on the path toward success and fulfillment. **Praise for Anne Kreamer’s __It’s Always Personal: Navigating Emotion in the New Workplace__** “A stimulating read bolstered by . . . some of the best recent work on emotional intelligence and the science of happiness.”**__—The Wall Street Journal__** “So what should be the rules and boundaries for showing how you feel while you work? That’s a question asked and answered in Anne Kreamer’s fascinating . . . look at an issue that rarely gets discussed.”**—__The Washington Post__** “Finally, someone is willing to unpack the morass of anger, anxiety, sadness, and joy that drives the workday. . . . [Kreamer] has hit the ‘It’s about time!’ button.”**—__Elle__** “[A] lively, well-researched exploration of emotions on the job.”**—Oprah.com** “Explores how to be true to your ‘emotional flashpoints—anger, fear, anxiety, empathy, happiness and crying’—without sabotaging your career.”**—__The New York Times Book Review__** A persuasive and eye-opening look at the importance of embracing risk in our working lives—and how to use it to achieve lifelong career success Some of us relish the chance to fly without a net, others . . . not so much. But no matter how adventurous we might be in our personal lives, most of us are wary of allowing risk into our careers. With an economy in constant flux and a job market in which uncertainty is the only constant, stepping outside one’s comfort zone can feel dangerous. But as the findings of this eye-opening and urgent book attest, the avoidance of risk might pose the greatest danger of all to our career prospects. In Risk/Reward, trend-spotter and career guru Anne Kreamer makes the compelling case that embracing risk is essential to managing a twenty-first-century career. Risk-taking isn’t just for entrepreneurs, nor does it require working on a figurative tightrope. Rather, Kreamer says, conscious, consistent, and modest risk-taking can help us become more able to recognize opportunity when it appears, and more likely to seize the chance to make the right change at the right moment. Risk/Reward presents a framework for making the most of today’s ever-evolving workplace and turning risk-taking into a daily practice. Using proprietary data from three national studies about the American worker, Kreamer explores the importance of career risk-taking through profiles of four Risk/Reward personality types: Pioneers, Thinkers, Defenders, and Drifters. She presents a Risk/Reward Matrix that anyone can use to identify his or her own innate risk threshold, and she identifies constructive ways to implement risk in everyday situations—from initiating an uncomfortable conversation with a boss to sharing out-of-the-box ideas with colleagues or constructively challenging long-held practices in an organization. Peppered throughout Risk/Reward are insights and hard-won wisdom from notable achievers such as bestselling author Anna Quindlen, journalist Jane Pauley, CNBC financial maven Jim Cramer, thought leader Po Bronson, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. Timely and insightful, Risk/Reward is a unique blend of practical and inspirational wisdom that even the most risk-averse person can harness on the path toward success and fulfillment. Praise for Anne Kreamer’s It’s Always Personal: Navigating Emotion in the New Workplace “A stimulating read bolstered by . . . some of the best recent work on emotional intelligence and the science of happiness.” —The Wall Street Journal “So what should be the rules and boundaries for showing how you feel while you work? That’s a question asked and answered in Anne Kreamer’s fascinating . . . look at an issue that rarely gets discussed.” — The Washington Post “Finally, someone is willing to unpack the morass of anger, anxiety, sadness, and joy that drives the workday. . . . [Kreamer] has hit the ‘It’s about time!’ button.” — Elle “[A] lively, well-researched exploration of emotions on the job.” —Oprah.com “Explores how to be true to your ‘emotional flashpoints—anger, fear, anxiety, empathy, happiness and crying’—without sabotaging your career.” — The New York Times Book Review "Anne Kreamer makes the compelling case that embracing risk is one of the best career choices a person can make. Timely and insightful, Risk/Reward is a unique blend of original research and practical wisdom that even the most risk-averse person can harness to realize success"-- "We entertain ourselves with modest risk-- the scary movie, the party full of strangers, the weekend in Vegas. But when it comes to our careers, when self-identity and security hang in the balance, most of us don't like to play the odds very aggressively. While some of us are natural born thrill seekers, the majority of us are hardwired to avoid risk. But, Anne Kreamer argues, in the current workplace, that very avoidance could be putting us in a far more precarious position than we know. Consider these startling facts: The average job lasts 4 years-- or less. If you are in your 20s... you will have 11 jobs over the course of your working life. If you are in your 40s... you will have to change careers 2 more times. If you are in your 60s... you will likely have to work for another 10-20 years. Kreamer makes a compelling case that we all need to think and act more like entrepreneurs on our own behalf and become practitioners of the art of risk. Through proprietary research and her own keen record as a trend spotter, Kreamer convinces us of the necessity to embrace risk as a healthy and forward-thinking attribute and a way to improve the quality and longevity of our working lives"-- "We entertain ourselves with modest risk-- the scary movie, the party full of strangers, the weekend in Vegas. But when it comes to our careers, when self-identity and security hang in the balance, most of us don't like to play the odds very aggressively. While some of us are natural born thrill seekers, the majority of us are hardwired to avoid risk. But, Anne Kreamer argues, in the current workplace, that very avoidance could be putting us in a far more precarious position than we know. Consider these startling facts: The average job lasts 4 years-- or less. If you are in your 20s ... you will have 11 jobs over the course of your working life. If you are in your 40s ... you will have to change careers 2 more times. If you are in your 60s ... you will likely have to work for another 10-20 years. Kreamer makes a compelling case that we all need to think and act more like entrepreneurs on our own behalf and become practitioners of the art of risk. Through proprietary research and her own keen record as a trend spotter, Kreamer convinces us of the necessity to embrace risk as a healthy and forward-thinking attribute and a way to improve the quality and longevity of our working lives"-- Provided by publisher Introduction: The Art of Risk 1. The Risk/Reward Matrix and You 2. Pioneers 3. Thinkers 4. Defenders 5. Drifters 6. Aligning Risk with Our Truest Selves Conclusion: Becoming a Disciple of Experience Acknowledgments Bibliography.