If you want a team that takes risks, stop punishing failure. Most companies say they encourage risk-taking, but the moment something goes wrong, accountability turns into blame. Jeff Bezos once said, “If you’re not failing, you’re not innovating enough.” Instead of tracking failures, track how your team rebounds from them. Make risk-taking a skill, not a gamble—because the real failure is playing it too safe.

Start by setting clear guidelines for what kind of risks are okay. When everyone knows the “rules of the game,” it’s easier to stay on track and be accountable. Also, shift the focus from fearing failure to learning from it. If the team knows it’s about growth and not perfection, they’ll be more open to taking smart risks. Be sure to check in regularly—not just to monitor progress, but to offer support. It shows you’ve got their back every step of the way. And when a calculated risk pays off, make sure to highlight it!

I encourage responsible risk-taking by setting clear, achievable goals and outlining expectations. I implement a tracking system to monitor progress, ensuring that risks are measured and aligned with overall objectives. Open discussions on both successes and failures help create a learning environment, fostering accountability and innovation.

Encouraging your team to take calculated risks starts with creating a culture of trust and accountability. Be clear about the goals and the parameters for risks, what’s acceptable and what’s not. Empower them with the tools and autonomy to make decisions but establish regular check-ins to track progress and discuss outcomes. Celebrate successes and treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not failures. Lead by example and show that accountability isn’t about blame but about growth. When your team knows they’re supported, they’ll take ownership of their actions and step up to the challenge.

To promote smart risk-taking and accountability, set clear goals, foster innovation, provide resources, empower decision-making, track progress, and celebrate wins.