Risk-taker or Chameleon
I am often called a risk taker. Throughout my career in healthcare, I've navigated through 17 distinct roles across 13 different companies. I have never made less money by taking a risk. I embrace change. Although I know many do not like change, I love it. Change has led me to new experiences that I have never regretted. Even the few that would be considered a mistake by many, were a path to something better, offering valuable insights about myself and what I really wanted.
Risk taking is the ability to jump in feet first to something that may be scary or unknown. As healthcare professionals we are not notorious risk-takers given our training, but some of the most successful women healthcare professionals I know have been serial risk-takers. In fact, research has shown, in the U.S., regardless of gender, risk-takers are not only valued, but even “failed risk-takers are perceived as more likely to be hired and promoted” (Fisk SR, & Overton J). While risk-takers may appear bold, their cousin the chameleon, are also great at navigating change, but with less overt exposure.
Chameleons have the ability to change their appearance for protection. But they are also known for being adaptable and resilient. Adaptability and resiliency are key elements to success and happiness in your career. Moreover, they are the characteristics of great leaders. Most of my mentors in my healthcare career have taught me aspects of adaptation that have allowed me to lower my stress and pause my impatience, as I moved more purposefully into a new role.
If you are unhappy or unsatisfied in your healthcare career today, embrace the style of a risk-taker or chameleon. It is not too early or too late to change. The economy, your personal financial situation and family dynamics may make it seem impossible, but if those dynamics do not change, are you willing to stay unhappy or unsatisfied? You may need to adopt new skills to change your perspective, but if you are ready to make a change, then start today.
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” —Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady.
Fisk SR, Overton J. Bold or reckless? The impact of workplace risk-taking on attributions and expected outcomes. PLoS One. 2020 Mar 4;15(3):e0228672. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228672. PMID: 32130225; PMCID: PMC7055845.
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In the blog above, I state, “I have never made less money by taking a risk”. The accurate statement is “I have never made less money, unless I wanted to”. Why? Because three times in my career, I took less money to be happier and eventually make more money. Read my blog, “When Taking a Step Down, is a Step Up”.