Stop Playing Safe
How To Be Braver in Your Work, Leadership and Life
2. Edition September 2021
300 Pages, Softcover
General Reading
Further versions
Have you ever looked back and wished you'd been braver?
Today's culture of fear is constantly bombarding you with reasons to play it safe. Yet, is it keeping you living too safely, procrastinating and not taking the very actions that would help you enjoy greater self-confidence, professional success and personal fulfillment.
If you ever hold back from making changes or taking chances, Stop Playing Safe is for you.
In this fully updated 'post-pandemic' edition, Dr Margie Warrell challenges you to 'rethink risk' and back your boldest goals with braver action. Drawing on her diverse global experience working in coaching, psychology and with trailblazing leaders such as Richard Branson and Bill Marriott, this book will empower you to master fear and 'take the chance' when it matters most.
Margie will get to the heart of what's holding you back, giving you proven strategies to:
* find your 'Why' to do more of what ignites your passion (and less of what doesn't!)
* uncover your blind spots to make smarter decisions, faster
* apply four simple steps to build resilience and manage your 'stress triggers'
* activate 'post traumatic growth' to turn your toughest problems into your greatest growth
* nail difficult conversations to resolve conflict, build trust, and strengthen relationships
* be an inspiring leader who emboldens others to think bigger, learn faster, and accomplish more.
Whether you're a business owner, climbing the corporate ladder or embarking on an entrepreneurial endeavor, Stop Playing Safe is powerful reading for anyone who doesn't want to settle for less than the biggest life they're capable of living.
Preface xi
Introduction xiii
Part I Core Courage Build Your Foundation 1
1 Know Your Why Decide how you will measure success 3
2 Lean Towards Risk The odds are better than you think 21
3 Be Trustworthy Align bold action with right action 49
Part II Working Courage Unlock Dormant Potential 65
4 Speak Bravely Embrace the discomfort of crucial conversations 67
5 Learn, Unlearn and Relearn The thinking that got you here won't get you there 87
6 Embrace Setbacks Transform adversity to rise to higher ground 109
7 Lead Bravely Cultivate a culture that fuels courage, not fear 135
Part III Take Courage Set Yourself Up For Success! 159
8 Back Yourself Don't wait to feel brave ... take the leap! 161
Acknowledgements 177
Index 179
-- MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, THINKERS50 WORLD #1 EXECUTIVE COACH & LEADERSHIP THINKER
Creating a better world requires courage. Stop Playing Safe gives you a roadmap to take the bold action required to move ahead in a world where uncertainty and acceleration are equal realities. If you're looking for an inspired step forward in leadership and life this book is a must read!
--MAYA HARI, VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS, TWITTER
Margie is a true expert on the science of success. Her new book is both inspiring and practical. It's a powerful manual for creating the life of your dreams.
--SIIMON REYNOLDS, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF WHY PEOPLE FAIL
Margie Warrell provides powerful and practical advice for overcoming our innate fear of risk and vulnerability. It bears reading and re-reading for all who strive to become their best selves.
--DR GORDON LIVINGSTON, AUTHOR OF TOO SOON OLD, TOO LATE SMART
Adapting to change and taking chances are critical to your success. This book will help you with both. Get it, read it, enjoy the results.
--JON GORDON, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE ENERGY BUS AND THE SEED
Stop Playing Safe provides a roadmap to navigate uncertainty and find the courage to create meaningful changes in your workplace, career and life.
--REBECCA HEINO, PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT, MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
One look at the title of my last book, and then this one, should tell you why I like it! Stop Playing Safe will help you harness the courage to take the risks that make sense --and give you the success you want.
--RANDY GAGE, AUTHOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER RISKY IS THE NEW SAFE
Stop Playing Safe is more than a book; it's a reference guide for living a full and courageous life. It's one of those rare books that is at once original, inspirational and above all, useful. Margie Warrell is a leading voice in the courage building movement and Stop Playing Safe proves that too much safety can be a dangerous thing.
--BILL TREASURER, PRESIDENT OF GIANT LEAP CONSULTING AND AUTHOR OF COURAGE GOES TO WORK
Practical, powerful and inspiring. In uncertain times, it's a guidebook you absolutely must read as it spells out exactly how to handle your challenges and find the confidence to speak up and get ahead in the new economy. Everyone in your company should read it!
--SUZI POMERANTZ, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, MASTER COACH AND CEO OF INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP INTERNATIONAL LLC
It's the risks we don't take that we regret the most. Stop Playing Safe will give you the courage to do more, experience more, and regret less. Read it. Apply it. Reap the rewards of a braver life.
--CHESTER ELTON, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE CARROT PRINCIPLE, LEADING WITH GRATITUDE AND ANXIETY AT WORK --CHESTER ELTON, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE CARROT PRINCIPLE, LEADING WITH GRATITUDE AND ANXIETY AT WORKIn today's play-it-safe culture, this is a must-read book for anyone who wants to take smarter risks that elevate themselves and others to higher ground. If fear of failing or falling short has ever held you back, this book is for you. Buy it. Read it. Take the leap! -- MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, THINKERS50 WORLD #1 EXECUTIVE COACH & LEADERSHIP THINKER Creating a better world requires courage. Stop Playing Safe gives you a roadmap to take the bold action required to move ahead in a world where uncertainty and acceleration are equal realities. If you're looking for an inspired step forward in leadership and life this book is a must read! --MAYA HARI, VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS, TWITTER Margie is a true expert on the science of success. Her new book is both inspiring and practical. It's a powerful manual for creating the life of your dreams. --SIIMON REYNOLDS, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF WHY PEOPLE FAIL Margie Warrell provides powerful and practical advice for overcoming our innate fear of risk and vulnerability. It bears reading and re-reading for all who strive to become their best selves. --DR GORDON LIVINGSTON, AUTHOR OF TOO SOON OLD, TOO LATE SMART Adapting to change and taking chances are critical to your success. This book will help you with both. Get it, read it, enjoy the results. --JON GORDON, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE ENERGY BUS AND THE SEED Stop Playing Safe provides a roadmap to navigate uncertainty and find the courage to create meaningful changes in your workplace, career and life. --REBECCA HEINO, PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT, MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
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