Agassei and Graf teach us how to take risk beyond the comfort zone

The other day I had an entry of The First Penguin Award for those who take the biggest risks. When we learn to be great competitors sometimes the risks don't even seem so big. Recently Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf who demonstrated there competitive skills on the court are giving the world another lesson in moving out of their comfort zone and off the court to building lifestyle developement resorts. Their first venture will be with Fairmont Tamarack at the Tamarack Resort in Donnoellly, Idaho. This is not a small step off the iceberg but a large one estimated at over $300 million. The big step is that this is not just opening a resort but being part of creating a community from start in a remote spot where celebraties have been coming to avoid the media.

When have you stepped out of your comfort zone as a leader from something you know well. In Agassi and Graf's case it is hard to be world class in tennis when you are moving into your late 30s. They obviously have been planning the step for some time. We all have changes in our careers and organizations that should cause us to look for the new, new thing. If you sit with your head in the sand like an ostrich you will likely loose your footing as the leader. When will you or your organization win the First Penguin Award?