IV. ASSESSMENT OF RISKS

SOME SITUATIONS CAN BE DIAGNOSED EARLY AS UNWORKABLE FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS.  THE ENERGY CONSUMED IN SEEKING TO RESOLVE THE UNRESOLVABLE IS UNREASONABLE.  PERSONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH COMES FROM STRUGGLE AND RISK.  THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE BEFORE MAMMOTH COMMITMENT IS MADE.  IT IS IMPORTANT AS THE INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERS AFFILIATION WITH AN INSTITUTION TO ASSESS THE RISKS INVOLVED.  WHAT ARE THE WORST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO ME?  WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS?  WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF FAILURE, PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?  IS THE RISK WORTH TAKING?  THERE IS NO POINT IN RISKING ALL FOR A SOGGY MARSHMALLOW.

SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE UPON INSTITUTIONS USUALLY IMPLIES SIGNIFICANT RISK.  DETERMINING WHICH ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS WORTH TAKING AND TAKING THEM IS THE ESSENCE OF THE ART OF CHANGE.