Famous Risk Takers Who Became Legendary Leaders

J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected by 12 publishers, but she persevered and went on to become one of the most successful authors in the world.

Thomas Edison's light bulb was a result of over 1,000 failed experiments, but he didn't give up and eventually revolutionized the world with his invention.

Richard Branson dropped out of school at 16 to start his first business, and went on to become a billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group.

Dave Hitz, founder & EVP of NetApp, suggests a different approach to risk assessment: instead of focusing on the odds of success, ask yourself what's the worst thing that could happen if you fail.

Marissa Mayer, president and CEO of Yahoo!, emphasizes the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone to achieve growth. She believes that pushing through uncertain moments can lead to breakthroughs.

These famous risk takers have a lot to teach us about embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks. Here are some key takeaways from their quotes:

Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, also shares a valuable perspective on risk-taking: he believes that the only thing he might regret is not trying, not failing.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a Neo-Expressionist artist who first gained attention from his graffiti artwork around New York City.

He took a huge risk by transitioning from street art to fine art, which ultimately led to his collaborations with Andy Warhol in the 1980s.

Basquiat's work brought more popularity to his name, and he's credited with showcasing the Latino and African-American experience through his artwork.

A lot of people look at risk and ask, "What are the odds that I will succeed?" But a different way to look at risk is to ask, "What's the worst thing that would happen if I failed?" –Dave Hitz, founder & EVP of NetApp

Risks are often associated with failure, but taking a chance can lead to growth. Marissa Mayer, president and CEO of Yahoo!, always did something she was a little not ready to do, and that's how she grew.

The tech industry is known for its risk-friendly culture. Megan Berry, VP of product at RebelMouse, says it's better to take the chance or take the lead if you think something might work. Just go for it and really put yourself out there, because it's an industry that really responds to that.

Taking risks can be intimidating, but it's often worth it. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, says he knew that if he failed he wouldn't regret it, but he knew the one thing he might regret is not trying.

Visionary leaders know that taking risks is a fundamental part of innovation and growth. They understand that it's not their job to prevent risks, but to make it safe to take them.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, president of Pixar Animation and Disney Animation, puts it best: “It is not the manager’s job to prevent risks. It is the manager’s job to make it safe to take them.”

This mindset is essential for entrepreneurs, who often view failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. Aaron Stibel, CTO, emerging businesses for Dun & Bradstreet, agrees that "Entrepreneurship is exactly what failure is. It’s actually a more elegant way of saying it."

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By embracing risk and failure, visionary leaders can drive their teams to achieve great things. Bryson Koehler, chief information and technology officer for The Weather Company, recommends being aggressive and pushing hard to achieve ambitious goals: "Take the risk, be aggressive, push hard, and set your sights way, way, way farther out than you think you can get."

In organizations that prioritize learning from mistakes, risk is no longer seen as a threat. Guido Laures, CTO at Spreadshirt, notes that when failing is an accepted part of doing business, the emphasis shifts to learning from mistakes rather than playing the blame game.

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary. He was also the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Mandela's presidency marked a significant shift in South African history, as he became the country's first black head of state. His government fought institutionalized racism and fostered racial reconciliation.

Spending 27 years of his life in jail was a testament to Mandela's unwavering dedication to ending apartheid in South Africa.

Harvey Milk was a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, making him one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history.

Milk's impact on gay rights was significant. He initiated anti-discrimination measures that helped protect the rights of the LGBTQ community in San Francisco.

Alice Paul was a women's rights activist who campaigned for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. constitution.

She led the National Woman's Party in the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment to attain constitutional equality for women.

In 1917, Paul and over 1000 "Silent Sentinels" picketed the White House.

Her sentence was seven months in jail for her activism, but she didn't let that deter her from continuing to fight for women's rights.

Jeff Bezos' leadership at Amazon is a prime example of a visionary CEO, having disrupted the retail industry with his e-commerce platform.

Visionary CEOs like Satya Nadella at Microsoft have successfully transformed their companies, embracing innovation and technology to stay ahead of the curve.

In the healthcare industry, Mary Barra's leadership at General Motors has led to significant advancements in electric and autonomous vehicles.

Under her leadership, General Motors has become a leader in electric and autonomous vehicle technology, with a focus on sustainability and customer experience.

Elon Musk's innovative approach at Tesla has revolutionized the electric car industry, making sustainable energy more accessible to consumers.

Mark Zuckerberg's leadership at Facebook has enabled the company to expand its reach and impact, connecting billions of people around the world through social media.

Sara Blakely's leadership at Spanx has disrupted the shapewear industry, making comfortable and functional undergarments a staple in many women's wardrobes.

These visionary CEOs have demonstrated the power of innovation and disruption, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in their respective industries.

Elon Musk's calculated risk in investing $35 million into Tesla Motors in 2008 was a turning point for the company. This bold move saved Tesla from collapse and ultimately led to its success.

Tesla Motors is now worth around $50 billion USD, a staggering increase from its almost bankrupt state just a decade ago.

Steve Jobs was a true pioneer in the tech industry. He co-founded Apple Computers and left the company in 1985 to start Pixar.

Jobs' return to Apple in 1997 marked a significant turning point in the company's history. He revolutionized the industry with innovative products like the iPod and iPhone.

Steve Jobs' legacy is a testament to the power of innovation and determination.

Tesla Motors is a prime example of calculated risk-taking, as seen in the company's history. The US economy flat lined in 2008, but Elon Musk invested his last $35 million cash into the company, saving it from collapse.

Tesla Motors' early struggles are a testament to the importance of perseverance. The company didn't post profits until ten years after its founding in 2003.

Musk's calculated risk paid off, and Tesla Motors is now worth around $50 billion USD. Despite still struggling to turn a quarterly profit, the company continues to revolutionize the electric car industry.

The release of the Model X in 2015 resulted in a significant loss of $3.5 billion, but Tesla's Model S became the world's best-selling plug-in car that same year.

Amazon is a retail giant that took a risk by expanding its market beyond books and into electronic goods. This bold move paid off, transforming it into the leading entertainment retailer in the UK.

Amazon UK's success story is chequered, however, with it only recently beginning to make money. It recorded a modest £7.3 billion revenue in 2016, a significant milestone after two decades of operation.

Amazon's UK journey began with the purchase of bookpages.co.uk in 1998, marking the start of its retail expansion.

Sony's bold move into the video game industry in 1994 paid off, as they released the PlayStation into a market dominated by Nintendo and Sega.

The original PlayStation went on to become one of the best-selling video game systems of all time, with over 102 million units sold worldwide.

Sony's risk-taking spirit didn't stop with their console's launch. They continued to innovate, becoming one of the pioneers of Virtual Reality hardware by 2016.

Their innovative approach has allowed them to remain a strong contender in the video game market, with the PlayStation 4 outselling Microsoft's Xbox One by an estimated 2:1.

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Embracing the unknown is a crucial aspect of taking risks, as Mark Zuckerberg so aptly put it: "The biggest risk is not taking any risk." This mindset shift is essential for those who want to achieve great things, as standing still is not an option in today's fast-paced industry.

To tap into your intuition and make bold decisions, consider the words of Arianna Huffington: "If you are not in touch with your intuition, you cannot be successful." Data is important, but it's equally crucial to listen to your gut and follow your instincts.

For those who want to make a lasting impact, Eileen Burbidge suggests making choices that make you nervous: "Make the choices that make you nervous. If you make the choice that's the easy way out, that wasn't the big vision or big choice to make."

Amelia Earhart was a trailblazing female pilot who made history in the skies. She was the first female pilot to fly over the Atlantic Ocean in 1928.

Her remarkable achievement paved the way for other women in aviation. Earhart was only the 16th woman to receive a pilot's license.

Flying solo over the Atlantic was no easy feat, but Earhart accomplished it in 1932.

Gertrude Ederle was an American Olympic swimmer who became the first woman to cross the English Channel in 1926. She completed the swim in 14 hours and 31 minutes.

Her record-breaking swim was a testament to her determination and skill in the water. For years, she was known as "America's Queen of the Waves."

Gertrude's achievement remained unbroken until 1950.

Embracing the unknown is a crucial part of being an explorer and adventurer. Alex Honnold, a professional rock climber, took a huge risk by free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat that required complete trust in oneself.

To take risks, you need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Philippe Petit, a French high-wire artist, walked on a thin wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, 1300 feet above the ground, for 45 minutes. That's a level of risk-taking that few people can imagine.

The biggest risk is not taking any risk at all. Mark Zuckerberg, the chairman and CEO of Facebook, once said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk." This mindset can help you push past your fears and try new things.

Here are some quotes from successful people who have taken risks and achieved great things:

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland around 1820. She made a daring escape to the North in 1849, using a complex system of safe houses called the Underground Railroad.

Tubman's journey to freedom was just the beginning. She later decided to help other slaves escape the same way, making 19 trips from the South from 1850 to 1860.

Guiding over 300 slaves to freedom, Tubman's bravery and determination are an inspiration to this day.

The Wright Brothers were American inventors and pioneers who built the first fully practical plane. They made the first successful heavier-than-air aircraft, the Wright Flyer, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

The brothers developed a shared passion for aeronautics and flying when their father gave them a small model helicopter.

Chuck Yeager was a military pilot who made history in 1947 by breaking the sound barrier in flight.

He was one of the military's premier pilots, known for his exceptional skills and bravery.

In 1953, Yeager was asked to fly a Russian MiG that had fallen into U.S. hands via North Korean defector, making him the first American to do so.

This experience showcased his adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges.

Malala Yousafzai is a women's rights advocate from Pakistan.

She began speaking out against the Taliban's ban on girls' education in her town in 2008.

Malala's advocacy led to a Taliban member shooting her in the head in 2012.

Upon recovery, Malala established a charity with her father to give young girls opportunities to receive an education.

Malala's charity aimed to provide education to girls who were previously denied access to it.

Annie Oakley was a markswoman who became well-known for her sharpshooting.

At the age of eight, Annie Oakley started hunting to help earn money for her family.

She would sell the game she shot, which shows her resourcefulness and determination from a young age.

Annie Oakley even defeated traveling-show marksman Frank E. Butler, whom she later married.

She made a name for herself in the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, where she would shoot glass balls out of the air with precision.

Shooting cigarettes out of her husband's mouth was just one of her impressive stunts in the show.

Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. This act led to her arrest.

Her arrest sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which lasted for 381 days.

The boycott ended with the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public transportation is unconstitutional.

The Lewis and Clark expedition is one of the most famous journeys in American history. They set out in 1804 to explore the lands west of the Mississippi River, which was part of the Louisiana Purchase.

This journey was incredibly long, spanning over 8000 miles.

Their mission was to gather information about North America, which they successfully accomplished.