When was the last time you assessed your preference for working outside your comfort zone? Although a no one-size-fits-all risk taking style exists given the different criteria that can influence how you approach workplace situations, generally you can assess your comfort zone when dealing with unknown outcomes.

Your Personal Risk taking Style

You can begin by taking this self-assessment and answering the fourteen statements below. Try not to over think your responses--it shouldn't take you longer than one minute. Tally your 'Yes' responses in order to get a general sense of your risktaking style at the bottom of the page.

1. Creatives tend to come to you more often when they want to brainstorm an idea. (4 = yes, 1 = no)

2. You consider yourself skilled when persuading others to change. (5 = yes, 2 = no)

3. You're capable of establishing risktaking boundaries for yourself while also setting clear expectations for others. (5 = yes, 1 = no)

4. You prefer to work the "risktaking muscle" within a team setting. (4 = yes, 1 = no)

5. You typically avoid tasks or activities perceived as having no known outcomes. (1 = yes, 3 = no)

6. You are the go-to person for "what if" scenarios when people want to cover their bases in mitigating risk. (3 = yes, 1 = no)

7. You go out of your way to avoid "politically charged" situations at work. (1 = yes, 3 = no)

8. You prefer to have others manage the details of the risks that you take. (1 = yes, 3 = no)

9. You're capable of taking limited risks if the benefits are clearly stated. (3 = yes, 1 = no)

10. In the last five years you've received promotions and individual recognition for your personal risktaking abilities. (2 = yes, 4 = no)

11. Ideas appear riskier to you if no supporting data exists. (3 = yes, 1 = no)

12. Your comfort with unknown outcomes exists when you have more control in driving the results. (1 = yes, 3 = no)

13. Others consider you entrepreneurial because of your ability to adopt change quickly. (5 = yes, 2 = no)

14. Accountability for the risks you choose to take begins and ends with you, which is why you prefer to "go it alone". (1 = yes, 3 = no)

Your score: 10 or less Yes's

Scoring less than ten actually covers more of the extremes of personal risk taking. At one end of the spectrum are the Saboteurs who often derail change either within themselves or others and the Avoiders who channel their fears into avoidance behaviors. At the other end of the spectrum are the Reckless Mavericks who take riskier moves, but who accept little to no responsibility for the outcomes, preferring that others "clean up their mess" when something goes wrong.

Your score: 11 - 16 Yes's

Although you have a tendency to be Skeptical when it comes to adopting change or for taking personal or professional risks without convincing data, you find that you're willing to Adopt new ways of working the "risk taking muscle" if someone clearly shows you how and is willing to become a safety net for you.

Your score: 17+ Yes's

You are the more advanced Adopters and Responsible Risk takers who are clearly more comfortable dealing with unknown situations, while assuming more responsibility and accountability for your actions. You are not willing to see yourself as a victim of unknown outcomes and will typically leverage business models and solid communication skills for influencing and persuading others to change.

Copyright 2010 Dolores "Dee" McCrorey, Risktaking for Success LLC. All Rights Reserved.