Insights with Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo: The power of taking chances: Why boldness wins in business and life

In both the boardroom and the arena, there comes a moment when hesitation becomes riskier than bold action.

When we look at the trajectory of successful businesses, transformative leaders, or breakthrough moments in sports and culture, one consistent theme emerges: the willingness to take a chance-not recklessly, but with calculated conviction.

The world of sports always gives us a perfect metaphor. Imagine two relatively unknown finalists emerged victorious in major tournaments, stunning the crowd and redefining what many believed was possible.

Their victories weren’t born of luck or solely raw talent. It was their intentional boldness – taking powerful body serves, aiming for the narrowest margins on the court/field, trusting their instincts made the difference.

They didn’t wait for their opponents to falter; they forced the game to evolve around their courage.

This story doesn’t just live on the tennis court/football field. It reflects what’s required in today’s business and leadership landscape.

In Business: Calculated Boldness Drives Real Growth

We are operating in an environment where disruption is no longer the exception – it’s the norm. Technological evolution, social shifts, economic unpredictability, and competitive saturation mean that businesses today must be agile and fearless.

But fearlessness does not mean impulsiveness. The best organizations make informed bets. They understand market signals, anticipate change, and then act with clarity.

Leaders who cultivate this mindset – balancing instinct with intelligence are the ones who move industries forward.

Whether you’re running a startup or managing a legacy institution, playing it safe rarely leads to a breakthrough. Over-caution is one of the fastest ways to become irrelevant.

In Public Speaking: Voice is Power, and Courage is Influence

As someone who coaches and speaks professionally, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative communication can be. Yet, many professionals shy away from opportunities to speak, not because they lack ideas, but because they fear judgment.

Here’s the truth: every room you walk into is waiting to be led by someone with conviction. Not perfection. Not Polish. Conviction.

Pitching a radical idea to investors, sharing a personal story with your team, or stepping onto a stage to champion a cause – these moments test your inner clarity. And those who take the chance to speak from a place of authenticity, despite the butterflies, build deeper trust and long-term influence. People don’t remember flawless presentations – they remember those who spoke with purpose.

In Branding: Safe Doesn’t Sell – Story Does

In a world where attention spans are shrinking and consumers are more discerning than ever, playing it safe with your brand is the fastest route to being ignored.

The most memorable brands are not just consistent – they are courageous. Apple didn’t gain cult loyalty by following trends; it challenged them. Airbnb didn’t tiptoe around the hospitality industry; it rewrote the rules. Uber didn’t politely ask permission; it created its category.

These weren’t random strokes of genius. They were well-timed, data-informed risks, rooted in bold visions of a better future. And they paid off because they dared to lead with a story, not just a service.

If your brand message doesn’t stir curiosity, challenge the norm, or spark emotion, it won’t stand out. And in today’s saturated market, obscurity is more dangerous than opposition.

In Leadership: Risk is a Prerequisite, Not a Peril

Leadership is not about maintaining the status quo. It’s about challenging it with integrity. Consider the journey of Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder. At a time when streaming was an uncertain terrain and Blockbuster was still a household name, Hastings made a bet – not just on technology, but on evolving consumer behavior. He took a chance. And when critics scoffed, he leaned in even harder.

Fast forward to today: Netflix didn’t just adapt – it set the standard. That leap into streaming wasn’t safe, but it was visionary. And it happened because someone at the helm understood that comfort is often the enemy of progress.

This is what leadership demands today – the ability to make decisions with incomplete information, the humility to adapt, and the courage to move forward anyway.

Take Reed Hastings, for instance. At a time when streaming was seen as a gamble, he led Netflix into uncharted territory. Today, that risk has redefined global entertainment.

In Life: Desire Must Be Greater Than Distraction

We all face setbacks. But the question is – what fuels you through them? In those moments of doubt, discomfort, or failure, it is your desire-not your circumstance, that determines your next step.

The quote rings true: “Your desire must be greater than your distractions.” That principle applies in business, relationships, leadership, and personal growth. The ability to persevere, to stay aligned with your vision even in the face of chaos, is the hallmark of greatness.

In Life: Desire Must Outweigh Distraction

Whether you’re building a company, leading a team, or rebuilding your confidence, you’ll face resistance from the outside world and within yourself. There will be voices telling you to slow down, step back, or stay small.

In those moments, you need a stronger voice – your own.

The late Myles Munroe once said, “The wealthiest place in the world is the graveyard,” because so many people take their unspoken ideas, unwritten books, and untried visions to the grave. Not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t take the chance.

The difference between those who build legacies and those who settle is not talent. It’s resilience. It’s the desire to move forward, even when you’re tired, uncertain, or afraid. That desire must be greater than your distractions. Greater than your doubts. Greater than your delay.

Looking Ahead: What Legacy Will You Leave?

As we look toward the future, for our businesses, our leadership, and ourselves, we must ask deeper questions:

• What opportunity are we hesitating to take?
• What bold idea have we buried under the weight of “what if”?
• What change are we waiting for permission to start?

The truth is, there will never be a perfect moment. Just like on the tennis court, you will never control the crowd, the weather, or your opponent’s next move. But you can control how you show up.

So take the swing. Make the pitch. Launch the idea. Speak the truth.

Because when we take informed chances with clarity and courage, we don’t just make progress – we shape the future.

Are you ready for TRANSFORMATION?

Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo is a Ghanaian multi-disciplinary Business Leader, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Certified High-Performance Coach (CHPC) and global Speaker. She is the Founder and CEO of The DCG Consulting Group. She is the trusted coach to top executives, managers, teams, and entrepreneurs helping them reach their highest level of performance through the integration of technical skills with human (soft)skills for personal development and professional growth, a recipe for success she has perfected over the years. Her coaching, seminars and training has helped many organizations and individuals to transform their image and impact, elevate their engagement and establish networks leading to improved and inspired teams, growth and productivity.

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