The fear and greed index of your career
In the financial world, there’s an index designed to gauge market sentiment—measuring the balance between fear and greed. When the greed index is high, it suggests that many investors are chasing quick wins and easy money. Conversely, when fear dominates, investors hesitate to put their money on the line. The idea is simple: extremes in emotion, whether it’s rampant greed or paralyzing fear, often signal opportunities for those willing to look beyond the noise.
I come from a family where taking risks was not particularly encouraged. When I reflect on my late thirties, I vividly recall the personal journey I embarked on. At that time, I was a General Manager at a Fortune 500 company, but I increasingly realized that this conventional path wasn’t my future. I believed I could make a greater impact by stepping into a more independent role—even though that meant stepping away from the familiar and embracing significant risk.
Years later, it became clear that my career evolution was a battle against my own internal fear index. Would it work out? Could I really leap into the unknown—taking on a mortgage and the financial obligations that came with raising two young teens? These were some of the strongest emotions I had ever experienced. It wasn’t that I wasn’t afraid; I simply chose to act despite the fear. That decision—to break through fear—has been one of my most important lessons.
Based on my 30 years of industry experience, I’ve observed that too many of us don’t take enough risk to truly steer our careers. Often, we remain stuck in the status quo—inertia holding us back. Sometimes, the trusted advisors we turn to, influenced by risk-averse values from another era, may inadvertently limit our potential. While I’m not advocating for reckless risk-taking, I do believe that avoiding all risk can be more restrictive than taking calculated leaps forward.
Before making any big decision, consider the potential downsides. Mitigate your risks where you can by conducting a realistic cost-benefit analysis and discussing your plan with a few trusted individuals. But remember: you will never have all the answers upfront. Life is a journey—embrace its richness and understand that moving forward always involves some degree of risk. When you accept that truth, a whole new world of opportunities unfolds.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on taking calculated risks in your career. What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? Please share your story in the comments below or subscribe for more insights on making bold, life-changing decisions.
Hope this inspires
Paul Donkers
CNN's fear and greed index
Paul P.J. Donkers is a sought-after global business coach and management consultant. More about his work and projects can be found via www.tencompany.org and via www.ikigaicoachinginstitute.com
Paul and his partners work since decades with leaders to assist them create more value. If you want to have a confidential conversation, just reach out to us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
