If you follow this blog, you know that a month ago I finally let my wife buy me an iPod for my birthday. I had been holding out for two years because every week there was a new rumor that Apple was only weeks away from launching a wide-screen iPod. The iPhone launched and I thought surely they won’t release a new iPod anytime soon that will compete with their new phone. I took the risk, got my iPod, and I think you know what happened. Steve Jobs announced the new wide-screen iPod (iPod Touch) one month later.

The point? I took a risk. Did it go the way I would have hoped? No. But that’s okay, I still have a nice iPod.

Growing leaders learn to take risks. Not stupid risks, like jeopardizing your entire annual budget on a lame idea that you haven’t talked to your pastor about. I am talking about an apparent risk. Sure, some people might think you’re losing your brain, but you realize it’s a lot more sane than sticking with the status quo.