Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Suge Imhoff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Suge , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
Thank you so much for having me. My challenging upbringing and the traumatic situations I experienced as a little girl were not easy, but they shaped me into the person I am today. They may have even helped me develop my problem-solving and risk-taking skills. In those moments, I had to make tough and radical decisions with limited options. I had to be bold and take risks to get out of bad situations. But more than that, I was determined to grow and not be defined by my circumstances. This growth mindset has been a key factor in my ability to take risks and solve problems.
I embarked on a journey of exploration, experimenting with different strategies and adapting to new situations to find better opportunities.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve always been drawn to the thrill of creation and building. Taking risks is not just a necessity in this process, but a source of joy and fulfillment. It’s a reminder that not everything depends solely on me, and that’s liberating. By asking myself, ‘What if…?’ I open the door to endless possibilities and witness the power of God in my life.
As leaders, navigating unfamiliar situations is essential as it contributes to developing conflict resolution skills and improves creativity. This skill is crucial in personal and professional life, enabling you to take risks and discover your full potential. Navigating unfamiliar situations involves stepping into the unknown, making decisions without all the information, and adapting to new circumstances. Fear is what holds most people back from exploring the unknown. At the beginning of my journey, I, too, found myself navigating unfamiliar situations, and I still do. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the feeling of the unknown is fear-based, which most people avoid.
When faced with unfamiliar or unknown situations, I’ve learned to make commitments, express disagreement respectfully, set boundaries, and accept the consequences. These experiences have not only equipped me with the skills to collaborate, communicate, and overcome challenges, but they’ve also shown me the power of communication in risk-taking. It’s not just about sharing ideas and gathering feedback, but about building relationships and fostering personal growth. It’s about realizing that our actions can impact others, and that’s a responsibility we should embrace with confidence.
When I take risks, it nurtures my creativity and problem-solving abilities. Venturing into new territories and encountering obstacles forces me to think critically and find solutions.
I have taken many kinds of risks in my life, such as leaving my secure and dream job to start a business, making tough decisions to overcome bankruptcy after a divorce with two boys without child support many years ago, leaving my home country Colombia and everything behind to start over in the United States with my boys, six suitcases, and only $120 in my pocket, getting married to a fantastic man who didn’t speak my language. I did not speak his language either. I knew him for five months before our wedding day, investing money in different endeavors, some of which worked. Others did not; it’s all part of the process.
Developing one’s skills is a journey that requires faith, confidence, persistence, and resilience. It’s about embracing setbacks and stepping out of our comfort zones, not just once but repeatedly. This process helps us grow and persevere, showing us that we can do more than we think. Mastering the skill of taking risks is a mindset that is always beneficial.
I have developed my risk-taking skills by implementing a few steps with confidence and I want to share them.
1. Defining clear goals: I always set clear goals before taking any risks, as it is essential to identify the purpose of the risk and how it aligns with my objectives.
2. Planning for failure: I recognize that failures are an inevitable part of risk-taking, and thus, I always prepare for the worst-case scenario with a proactive and realistic plan.
3. Understanding my strengths and limitations: I clearly understand my strengths and limitations, which allows me to take calculated risks in areas where I am confident and seek advice from others in areas where I am not.
4. Getting comfortable taking small risks: I built up my risk-taking tolerance by taking small risks in uncertain situations, enabling me to progress towards taking more significant risks with potentially more considerable consequences.
5. Calculating how risk can benefit others: Before taking any risks, I consider the potential benefits and costs of the risk to all parties involved and make a decision that will have an overall positive impact.
To develop your risk-taking skills, set clear goals, plan for failure, recognize your strengths and limitations, take small risks to build up your tolerance, and consider how risk will impact all parties involved with confidence.”
The fear of the unknown is natural, but it’s necessary to face it head-on. Trust in God and the abilities and gifts that He has given you. Trust that you are equipped to handle whatever comes your way. Trust that greater opportunities are waiting for you on the other side. You always win, no matter the outcome. We should live our lives without fear and with the freedom to be bold.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an ordinary woman who learned to make extraordinary decisions and take bold steps of faith; activator and equipper of leaders, Speaker, wife, mother of four, certified Mentor and member of the Maxwell Leadership Team, MBA, a visionary who is passionate about helping others to fulfill their callings in business and ministry.
I recently joined the Mentors, Entrepreneurs in Residence team of New Venture Accelerator, an organization of Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business. I have over 20 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurship, building high-performance teams that deliver exceptional results.
My husband and I are the owners of Train2Win Institute, which is a leadership development and consulting company. We aim to help businesses achieve sustainable growth and success through mentorship, training, and conferences. Additionally, I am also the founder of a global nonprofit organization called EWoman Global Ministries. Our organization provides activation, connection, training, and equipping services to women, enabling them to embrace their unique God-given identities, fulfill their callings, and step into leadership roles that create an impact across the seven mountains of influence. Our services are offered in both English and Spanish.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have the greatest impact on me are resilience, risk-taking skills, and faith. For those starting, always be determined and recall your WHY this will help you overcome any challenges you may face.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
A book that has impacted my life in many ways is the Bible. It has taught me how to navigate life, family, relationships, leadership, and business and has transformed me from the inside out.
One of the most impactful verses in the Bible is this 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. The Bible tells us to “fear not” more than 100 times yet we still fear and let fear stop us from building our dreams, and businesses and changing more lives. When you leverage power, love, and a sound mind, you’ll truly usher transformation into the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ewomanglobalministries
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suge.imhoff/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sugeidysimhoff/
- Email: sugeimhoff@train2wininstitute.
com or letstalk@ ewomanglobalministries.org
