Risk Forward

By Jessica Kirby

Hall of Fame Speaker Victoria Labalme knows what it means to tackle risk head on. She is the founder of Risk Forward® and Rock the Room® as well as a full suite of products designed to help individuals and organizations uncover their original ideas, express them with the unexpected twist that distinguishes their work, and communicate with impact.

She will be presenting a keynote address to attendees at the Partners in Progress Conference February 26-28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Labalme is a master at helping people at all levels dramatically elevate their ability to communicate, connect, and come alive . . . and win over the people they serve. Her resultsdriven approach offers a strategic blend of art and business that taps into her decades of performing arts experience: HBO, Caroline’s on Broadway, comedy clubs, television, one-woman shows, and documentary films. She has worked with dozens of C-suite executives and top teams, guiding them in their messaging, communication, and presentation skills strategies to advance their intended goals and outcomes.

Her Wall Street Journal bestselling full-color book titled Risk Forward®, written for entrepreneurs and open-minded individuals, shares a series of “reassuring and radically freeing” strategies that teach people to head into the unknown and discover their hidden genius. It is a guide for navigating uncertainty, discovering why taking action can be a mistake, learning how to handle moments of indecision, staying on course, and knowing that what you’re doing makes a difference.

“At the edge of not knowing is the beginning of the extraordinary,” Labalme says.

When it comes to labor-management cooperation and relationship building, there is an element of risk that one must face and accept before real change can occur. Although necessary, it can be frightening—Labalme speaks to risk and the natural fear that comes with trying something new.

“People are wired for survival and thus moving into an unknown––whether that’s a different physical environment, an unfamiliar business scenario, or a new relationship dynamic––can make many people uncomfortable,” she says. “That said, there are a few key tools that can keep you on track.”

She points to the myth that unless you’re crystal clear on your vision or an intended outcome, you can’t succeed.

“Having worked with C-suite executives at some of the world’s most recognized brands, top leaders, sales professionals, and elite performers across scores of industries, I’ve learned a secret: some of the most successful companies, individuals and creative endeavors didn’t start with complete clarity,” she says. “Instead, the person figured it out as they went.”

Whether risk-related fear is warranted comes down to the type of risk. To provide an extreme example, jumping off a building is extraordinarily risky and should be avoided and feared. By contrast, speaking up in a meeting is less so. And when it comes to the latter–– to speaking up, sharing an idea, or communicating in a challenging environment––there are a few simple techniques Labalme will touch on during her keynote that can make a huge difference.

“It’s also important to note that successful people have learned that Risking Forward often involves some discomfort,” Labalme says. “The fact that a situation could become momentarily awkward or uncomfortable doesn’t stop them. They recognize it’s part of the process. It’s akin to the discipline of putting on your exercise clothes when it’s grim and rainy outside. You do it because you know the long-term benefits will far outweigh the short-term discomfort.”

So, it’s essential to Risk Forward® and “it’s also critical for individuals and organizations to foster a culture where others feel safe to speak up or express an idea…to Risk Forward® themselves,” she adds.

One key strategy she shares is to Begin from Within. “There’s a technique from the arts called the Throughline,” Labalme says. “Think of the Throughline like your intention, the driving force in any communication setting––whether that’s in person, on a job site, on video or phone, or in an email. If your Throughline is pointed outward in service of others––meaning, if it’s focused on how you can help the other person or people––the experience of that communication dynamic and the results will be transformational.”

To learn more about Victoria Labalme and how to Risk Forward® be sure to catch her keynote address at the Partners in Progress Conference February 26-28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. Learn how to manage the risk and rewards of developing labor-management cooperation and learn valuable insight on leadership, communication, courage, and providing a safe workplace culture.

For a sneak peak of Victoria Labalme’s presentation style, check out some of her videos at VictoriaLabalme.com and subscribe on the home page to receive an inspiring, insightful message each week.

Register for Partners in Progress at pinp.org/conferences/2024pinp ▪

Jessica Kirby is editor-publisher for Point One Media, a small but sturdy family-owned trade magazine creator representing some of North America’s best construction associations. She can usually be found among piles of paper in her home office or exploring British Columbia’s incredible wilderness.