Risk Takers, in Educational Administration

Decision-making theory regarding risk indicates that there are risk takers and risk averters. Risk taking in administration involves leaders' willingness to openly share and be true to their values, ideas, and philosophy. Risk taking is key to personal, professional, and organizational growth. Risk taking involves the leaders' openness to trial and error—to being developed, stretched, and challenged.

Research has validated a clear relationship between risk-taking behavior and school success. Researchers have noted that when principals, teachers, and other staff members possessed strong inclinations for risk, they were more likely to experience positive growth. Leaders understand that risk-taking behaviors often have a positive impact on others. The best leaders take risks because they realize the affirming effect that risk-taking behavior has on others. Compared to bureaucrats who avoid taking risks, a point beyond which a risk averter will not even engage a problem, leaders encourage risk taking. Taking risks also signals that there are elements of trust present in working situations. Leaders are more willing to delegate tasks to others when trust levels are high.

A balance of risk taking and trust establishes an environment conducive to learning. With the contention that schools exist to promote high levels of learning, the conditions that give rise to risk taking within working contexts in which trust is high are also important to promote learning.