As leaders of companies, we have all experienced downturns. The economy, the markets, the political climate, the weather, or an invisible virus can all crop up and cause things to shift in unexpected directions. An instinctual response to adversity is to pull up the drawbridge and prepare to hunker down and wait out the crisis, minimizing expenditure and risk. But as I look back on my last few years as President & CEO of R.A. Heath Construction and Millwork, Inc, I have learned something about myself; when the going gets tough, for better or worse, I switch from defense to offense.

Taking a risk and trying something new as the knee-jerk response to a slowdown is not what I advise. Recklessness is never recommended. However, I have learned that when certain conditions are met, it can be right to favor the bold move.