Master New Skills Easily Using the Rings of Risk

Have you ever procrastinated on applying a new skill because you were afraid you are “not good enough yet”, you’ll be judged by others, you’d ruin your reputation, or you’ll just outright make a fool of yourself? It doesn’t matter if the skill is related to applying a new coaching technique, delivering a presentation, publishing on social media, or any other skill for that matter…  

…while those fears might be justified, excusing yourself from forward action is not. 

The key is in how you manage your rings of risk.

Recently this subject came up when I was working with a client who told me that they were holding back from applying a new coaching skill with their paying clients. He knew why this skill would be important for him and he even knew how to do it (in fact he had known about this skill for months) but for some reason he wasn’t able to get himself to use it in an actual session.

When we explored what was holding him back he expressed that he was worried that since he wasn’t yet proficient in the skill he would likely make mistakes which would lead to him appearing unprofessional and losing credibility in his client’s eyes.  These fears were holding him back from improving his skills, having his desired impact in his client’s lives, and from having the business that he knew he was capable of creating.

Of course we can do the inner game work to reframe what mistakes mean to him, build in acceptance of his fallibility (even becoming gloriously fallible) and separating his human-being from his human-doing.  And I highly recommend all of these things.

But the solution I proposed was much more simple. 

If you’re trying to use new skills in a high stakes situation where somebody’s results or money are on the line, there is going to be a lot of pressure to deliver and it’s probably not the best time to try out something new.

The simple secret? 

Practice in low-stakes contexts first. 

Just as athletes don’t try out a new move/play for the first time during a championship game, coaches and leaders should rehearse in a safe environment before using a skill in high-pressure situations.

In fact, there are rings of risk you can utilize to expand your comfort zone and decrease your zone of fear.

Below is an example of the rings of risk in action:

Ring 1: Practice Privately

Begin in a zero-pressure environment, by yourself. Practice the skill aloud, or visualize applying it in your desired scenarios. Imagine how others might respond and adapt accordingly. Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to step up to the next level.

Ring 2: Experiment with Colleagues

Find a colleague/buddy coach to practice with. Take turns and provide each other with supportive and constructive feedback. If relevant, consider swapping testimonials about each other’s strengths. Aim to get as much high-quality feedback as possible. When you’re ready, expand to your next practice zone.

Ring 3: Expand Your Practice with Supportive Friends/Family

If appropriate, expand your skill into a more public context with trusted friends or family. Beyond colleagues, this creates a near zero-judgment space where you can experiment freely and continue to build confidence. Aim to get as much feedback as possible from people with ‘fresh eyes’. Once you feel comfortable here, it’s time to move up.

Ring 4: Develop the Skill in Complimentary Sessions

Consider offering complimentary sessions within your wider network. These real-world interactions provide diverse perspectives and context-appropriate feedback, helping you fine-tune your technique. As you build confidence, you’re ready to apply your skills in paid settings.

Ring 5: Start Implementing the Skill in Paid Sessions

Now, bring your skill into paid sessions with clients you feel safe with. Gather feedback to learn what resonated and what could enhance their experience. This step helps solidify your competence and sets you up for success at the next level.

Ring 6: Battle-Test the Skill

Now it’s time to apply the skill in more challenging contexts. Work with a variety of clients, including those with unique or complex needs, and test your skill under pressure. Record your sessions, seek feedback from a supervising coach/trainer, and refine your approach. By this point, you’ll likely receive largely positive feedback… proof of your skill and dedication!

Just like learning to drive, you wouldn’t begin on the highway. Starting small and expanding your level of challenge allows for safe, consistent growth. With each level, you’re honing your skills, building confidence, and moving ever closer to mastery.

Of course the rings of risk will differ depending on the skill you are developing, but the concept remains the same. The more you practice in low-stakes environments the more natural the skill will feel and eventually your confidence will grow to the point where you’ll be ready to use it seamlessly in real-world situations. Over time, you might even find that the skill becomes second nature and emerges spontaneously when needed because it has been rehearsed.

So start today: 

• What meaningful skill have you been procrastinating on developing due to fear?
• Identify which ring of risk feels most appropriate and choose one low-stakes opportunity this week to apply that skill. 

Whether it’s with a trusted friend or a paying client, imagine the difference it will make over the long run to continually implement that skill you’ve been wanting to develop while maintaining minimal risk. Would it make a difference when you apply the rings of risk to any new skill you’re wanting to develop? Would you become a ferocious learner? Perhaps you’d even become unstoppable!

Was this valuable for you? If yes, comment below with the next skill you are focusing on and which ring of risk is your next step.

Remember, by consistently practicing in safe spaces you’ll remain on the mastery pathway and develop the confidence and fluency needed to thrive in higher-stakes environments to the point where, when challenges present themselves your default response will become “bring it on!”