How to Share Risks

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“Remember: Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning.” – S.C. Lourie

This is a friendly warning: It’s risky to comment on this blog. I’m joking, of course, but have a great example of no good comment goes unpunished. 🙂

A couple of weeks ago Brian Hannon commented that he approached finding positivity from another perspective on the How to Share Optimism podcast I did with Mark Petruska. To hear Brian describe it, it’s like peeling back an onion. The outer layers are the risks of a thing, whether it be an idea, invitation, initiative, or something else. Those layers need to be dealt with before reaching the savory goodness on the inside.

At which point, I invited Brian on the podcast to talk about his approach of sharing risks.

As a corporate communications professional, Brian Hannon has incredible wisdom about identifying risks and communicating effectively. In this episode of the How to Share podcast, Brian shares his unique perspective on optimism, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging risks and challenges before moving towards a positive outlook.

Brian discusses the role of authenticity in communication, the balance between optimism and realism, and how humor can help navigate difficult conversations. Our conversation also touches on parenting and the lessons learned from life’s challenges, ultimately highlighting the value of embracing discomfort for personal growth.

Takeaways

  • Brian sees risks and challenges first before finding positives.
  • Acknowledging failure is crucial for a realistic perspective.
  • Authenticity is essential in communication and leadership.
  • Humor helps in delivering downsides without negativity.
  • Writing helps clarify thoughts and learn from experiences.
  • Embracing discomfort can lead to long-term growth.
  • Balancing perspectives can enhance collaboration and understanding.
  • Life’s challenges often provide valuable lessons.
  • Parenting influences how we perceive risks and challenges.
  • Finding a middle ground between optimism and realism is key.

Here’s a preview of Brian’s grounded and resilient approach:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this incredible episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How To Tell Relatable Stories About Life – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

What makes a story truly relatable? In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores how the smallest moments in life can become the most powerful stories — from a beloved Seattle raccoon named Jimothy to a little boy celebrating soccer goals with his grandmother. Through humor, heart, and the idea of narrative transportation, this episode looks at why specific, human stories help us feel seen, connected, and inspired to keep trying.If you’ve ever wondered how to tell better stories about everyday life, how to make your experiences more meaningful, or why small moments can carry big emotional truth, this episode is for you.Key takeaways:• Relatable stories often begin with small, specific moments rather than big life lessons.• Details help listeners see, feel, and remember a story.• Everyday stories can reveal courage, connection, confidence, and support.• The most powerful stories do not need to be perfect — they need to be honest and human.• Living The Life of Try means celebrating small wins, showing up for each other, and trying again from wherever we are.🔔 Subscribe to The Life of Try for weekly conversations about resilience, courage, creativity, reinvention, mindset, and living with intention.ABOUT MEHi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying.Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention.🌍 Website: https://wynneleon.com━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎥 Watch Next➡️ How to Overcome Burnout & Build an Upward Spiral of Growth, Fun & Resilience➡️ Near-Death Experience with Jesus | Liza Anderson on Faith, Healing and Recovery➡️ How to Embrace What Makes You Different | Finding Your Purpose with Kym Gordon Moore
  1. How To Tell Relatable Stories About Life
  2. Why Second Place Might Be Preparation, Not Failure
  3. When Your Plan Falls Apart | How to Stay Resilient and Keep Trying
  4. Barbara Nickless on A Voice In The Dark, Online Gaming and The Power of Story
  5. Embracing What Makes You Different | Kym Gordon Moore

Links for this episode:

⁠Brian’s blog: Writing from the Heart with Brian⁠

⁠Brian Hannon⁠ on LinkedIn

(featured photo from Pexels)

36 thoughts on “How to Share Risks”

  2. Brian brings a refreshing and necessary dose of realism to the optimist/pessimist/realist perspective. Thanks to Brian and to you, Wynne.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. I agree with Brian that we need to see and search for the risks and challenges before embracing the positivity. I recently watched a tv show, where someone was offered everything they ever dreamed of. They didn’t realize there was a terrible cost. Before we embrace the positives, we have to know the realistic details and expectations.
    From the podcast, I liked where Brian mentioned about looking at not necessarily a perfect solution but “how can we help everyone”. I love his wife’s nickname in college – “Rainbow Brite”. And your point Wynne near the end of the podcast, on looking at both life and death, is so important. Reminds me of this quote: “Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.” Quoted from Edward Whymper, a British climber and explorer best known for the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 (Scrambles Amongst the Alps).

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Wow, what thoughtful comments, Rose. Thank you for tuning in and sharing what resonated with you. That is a great quote from Whymper. I’d never heard it before but it’s so good!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Embracing the suck builds resiliency. When I’ve got something on my mind that needs taking care of, I like to jump in early and take care of business instead of having it hang over my head all day.

    That doesn’t mean you’ll ever find me out running with Brian. Swimming maybe?😊

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Oh, I love these lessons Wynne. I’m glad you were able to pull those from our conversation. I have to add I always love chatting with you. Lots of fun!! And to repeat, Mark from Midwest Mark and you are the most positive two people I know. Love it. Ha, ha.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. great discussion, great points and approach. about finding that sweet spot, a mix of figuring out the risks/challenges and the rewards that make it worth trying even if you might fail. yes

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Great points. I especially like “Finding a middle ground between optimism and realism.” Also the conversation about accepting failure is very helpful. That’s how we learn. It’s impossible to learn to walk without falling.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Great conversation, Wynne and Brian! I like both your pragmatic approach with sharing risks and challenges – direct and not Pollyanna-ish – which fosters trust and resiliency. I like the quote from Gwen’s podcast interview that there are no failures in life, only those instances when we don’t learn from them. I think this frame of mind and mindset is what helps the successful people and companies thrive through the adversity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, I love your takeaways. That approach from Gwen is so good. I think you are right that is what helps us thrive through adversity! Thank you so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts – I appreciate it, Ab!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. A great conversation, Wynne and Brian! This takeaway stands out: Humor helps in delivering downsides without negativity. I love humor, and it always comes in handy regardless of the scenario, along with lessons being found through challenges. Thanks to you both! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Great takeaways, especially the one about “balancing perspectives can enhance collaboration and understanding.” So important. While reading your post, the term SWOT analysis came to mind. In the Army, we were always assessing things based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. I’ll definitely be listening to the podcast this weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. You have the most interesting conversations. I tend to be the Pollyanna type, and I get flack for it. But I’d rather be that way as it’s how I’ve got through life.

    Liked by 1 person

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