Risk Taking: Is It Bold or Reckless?

Issue 2867— November 25, 2025

When does a risk stop being bold and start being reckless? 

That question has followed me through every chapter of my own leadership.

A friend once talked me into rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. So I read about the rapids we’d be navigating; but believe me, reading and doing are two different things.

The water was icy, the drops were steep, and I was surrounded by athletic young men who couldn’t wait to face the roughest waves. At first, I clung to the back of the raft, where it felt safest.

But little by little, I moved forward, toward the spray, toward the fear. By the end, I was fighting for the front row. The same rapids that had terrified me became exhilarating once I decided to meet them head-on. If you’ve been on this raft trip, you might recall the hyped up anticipation of Lava Falls. I could hardly wait and being on the front of the raft as we went over the Class 10 whitewater rapid became one of my major life experiences.

That’s when I understood something important about leadership: you grow your courage muscles the same way you grow your physical muscles, by using them. I became stronger in the doing.

Is Risk Aversion a Female Trait?

Research shows that women are often more risk aware than risk averse. And that can be a good thing. But cultural expectations can make us hesitate when boldness is what’s needed most. Smart risk-taking isn’t impulsive; it’s intentional. It’s how we discover what we’re capable of and learn to trust ourselves more deeply.

Last week, I took a very different kind of icy plunge, literally, and the lesson was the same. (If you missed my cold water plunge, drop the word “plunge” in the comments and I’ll DM the link to you, or watch a short version of it here.

Courage isn’t about fearlessness.

It’s about taking the risk to embrace and practice power, again and again, even if you’re scared, even if a job loss or unexpected change in life throws you off your mojo. Be audacious and practice courage until it becomes second nature. Until you know you can do it. 

If you are fortunate enough to have the capacity to help another woman, here’s a specific way you can use your power for good. 

🔴 Join me and contribute to Take The Lead Women Giving Tuesday campaign

I took the plunge for Giving Tuesday, in support of women who are ready to lead their next chapter. Nearly half a million women have been displaced from their jobs this year. Many are still finding their footing, rebuilding confidence, and wondering what’s next. Together, we’re aiming to fund 100 new scholarship seats, 100 new chapters of courage and leadership.

The water was shockingly cold, but the purpose was clear. Because leadership isn’t theory; it’s practice. It’s saying yes to the plunge, yes to discomfort, and yes to possibility.

A scholarship to our 9 Leadership Power Tools course gives women the mindset, skillset, and support to move forward with intention.

Not only will your gift go to help a woman who has been displaced by recent government and other related job cuts get her career footing for her next step, but for a short time your gift will be matched 2X, meaning every $1 you contribute becomes $3. 

Sometimes practicing courage looks like taking a leap into the unknown and sometimes it looks like plunging into freezing blue water on purpose. 💙

Your gift helps another woman take her own courageous step forward. Thank you for being part of this movement, because when one woman takes the plunge, others rise with her.

Now that's taking the risk to use your power.

 Here’s that donate link again.

 Thank you! And Happy Thanksgiving.

 GLORIA FELDT is the Co-founder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker, and a global expert in women’s leadership development and DEI for individuals and companies that want to build gender balance. She is a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Honored as Forbes 50 Over 50, and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Find her @GloriaFeldt on all social media.