How can you promote risk-taking in non-profit leadership development programs?

1 Define risk-taking

Before you can encourage risk-taking, you need to define what it means for your program and your participants. Risk-taking is not about being reckless or irresponsible, but about trying new ideas, learning from failures, and adapting to changing circumstances. You can use a risk matrix or a risk appetite framework to help your participants identify and assess the potential benefits and costs of different types of risks. You can also share examples of successful and unsuccessful risk-taking from your own or other non-profit organizations.

3 Provide opportunities and incentives

Another way to promote risk-taking is to provide opportunities and incentives for your participants to apply their learning and test their assumptions in real-world situations. You can do this by designing projects, assignments, or challenges that require your participants to explore new possibilities, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and solve problems creatively. You can also reward risk-taking by recognizing and rewarding the efforts, processes, and learnings of your participants, rather than only the results or outcomes.

4 Model risk-taking

As a program leader or facilitator, you have a powerful role in influencing the risk-taking culture of your program. You can model risk-taking by sharing your own stories, successes, and failures of taking risks in your non-profit work. You can also demonstrate risk-taking by being open to feedback, learning from mistakes, and adapting your program design and delivery based on the needs and interests of your participants. By showing your vulnerability and authenticity, you can inspire your participants to do the same.

5 Encourage reflection and learning

Finally, you can promote risk-taking by encouraging reflection and learning among your participants. Reflection and learning are key components of risk-taking, as they help your participants to evaluate their actions, outcomes, and learnings, and to identify areas for improvement or change. You can facilitate reflection and learning by providing tools, such as journals, portfolios, or surveys, for your participants to document and analyze their risk-taking experiences. You can also create spaces, such as forums, discussions, or presentations, for your participants to share and learn from each other's risk-taking journeys.