Four Things to Consider Before You Make That Next DecisionSample

In leadership circles, there is a never-ending question about leaders: Are leaders born, or are leaders made? The debate is over whether it is possible to learn and grow and develop into a strong leader that others will follow, or whether one must be fortunate enough to be born with these abilities.

Not surprisingly, when it comes to assessing risks and making wise decisions, a similar question exists: Are good decision-makers made, or are they born with a good gut? Is it possible to learn and grow and develop into a strong and wise decision-maker, or must one be fortunate enough to be born with a special "gut"? Is the ability to take wise and calculated risks available to all people, or is it an ability reserved for a chosen few?

Learning to manage risks well does not mean we are relegated to only playing it safe. Rather, it is our belief that good decision-making and wise risk-taking are skills that can be broken down and refined until a leader can learn to excel while still taking risks.

Of course, leaders should take certain basic steps when exploring risks. These steps include searching Scripture for direction as well as talking and listening to God and being open to the nudging of God’s Spirit.

But beyond a sense of God’s leading or nudges, we believe it is possible to quantify those gut feelings, which, in turn, allows us to respond to risks in a Spirit-led and calculated fashion.

And as we learn together to manage risks well, may we each hear the Master say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”