COMMENTARY: You’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit! Published Aug. 21, 2014 By Master Sgt. Shaun Cregger 321st Special Tactics Squadron RAF MILDENHALL, England -- An American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker named Jim Rohn said, "You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go." There are many definitions of risk, but it really just comes down to undertaking a task involving a challenge with an uncertain outcome. The biscuit is our target or our goal we are trying to achieve. How many times have you missed an opportunity because you were too afraid to take a chance? Let's face it; unpredictable things can create fear within us. Fear can come from influences, experiences, education or intuition. This is why I believe taking risks is one of the many important attributes of a leader. In my opinion, leaders who take risk are resilient, open-minded and successful while knowing their people along the way. Resilient leaders take risk. They show courage, confidence, and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to lead the way. Failure is a possibility, but they view it as an opportunity for feedback to try again and keep moving forward. Being resilient means overcoming setbacks and learning from mistakes, which to me is an essential element of a leader. It shows they are flexible and can adapt to any challenge in front of them, they have the ability to sustain operations while leading their team. Resilient leaders don't slow down or quit, they stay focused and motivated to get the biscuit. Open-minded leaders take risk. They lead with open eyes and a diverse mindset. The risk of implementing subordinate ideas is no scare to open-minded leaders; they welcome these innovations and opportunities of new techniques. These leaders seek truth in uncertain situations and recognize the difference between opportunities and disaster. Instead of keeping the status quo, they look at other possibilities. Open-minded leaders inspire others and create loyal and empowering relationships with their team to get the biscuit. Risk taker leaders are successful. Some people view risk as a negative thing, therefore they are reluctant to make decisions. However, most successful leaders I have met throughout my career have taken risk. This risk made them stand out with character, passion, credibility and vision to move forward. These leaders know what risks to take by knowing their people and encouraging continuous feedback. They accept challenges and don't let fear hinder their success to get the biscuit. Risk it to get the biscuit - you might surprise yourself.