Not Every Idea Is a Good One

James Smith, Executive Director

Bold or Bad? How to Know the Difference

Some decisions feel exciting in the moment. They feel bold. Adventurous. Like the kind of move a leader is supposed to make.

But not every bold idea is a good one. And I learned that the hard way.

Several years ago, I was on a canoe trip in the Big South Fork with my nephew. We came up on Angel Falls—a stretch of water that demands respect. The plan was clear: get out, portage around it, and keep moving. That was the smart decision.

But somewhere along the way, a different idea crept in. “What if we just take the canoe through it?” my nephew suggested!

At the time, it didn’t feel reckless. It felt bold. Like we were choosing adventure over caution.

But I remember the exact moment I knew we had made the wrong call. The water took control. The canoe started spinning. The current got stronger. And just like that, we weren’t navigating anymore—we were reacting.

I bailed. And then I watched the current take the canoe—with my nephew still in it—over the falls.

When the Decision Is Already Made

There’s a point in every bad decision where it’s too late to rethink it. I got pulled under. Turned around. Pushed through the falls. And eventually surfaced about 100 feet downstream. As I looked around for my nephew, he popped up too!

We were both okay.

The canoe wasn’t. It was wrapped around a rock and cracked at the waterline—completely destroyed.

What was supposed to carry us safely… didn’t make it.

The Lesson Wasn’t About the Water

The lesson was about the decision. Because here’s the truth:

I knew better.

We had a clear plan. A safer path. A proven way to get through. But I chose the more exciting option instead of the wiser one. And that’s where the real lesson lives.

Not Every Bold Move Is a Good Move

In business and leadership, we celebrate boldness. We talk about taking risks, going for it, thinking big. And those things matter.

But bold without clarity can quickly become reckless. Because the real question isn’t:

“Is this bold?”

It’s: “Is this aligned?”

The Filter I Didn’t Use

If I had stopped for just a moment and run that decision through what actually mattered to me, the answer would have been obvious.

What mattered most?

• My family

• My nephew’s safety

• Getting through the trip responsibly

What didn’t matter?

• The thrill

• The story

• Proving we could do it

The risk wasn’t worth what was at stake. And that’s the framework I should have used.

A Simple Decision-Making Framework

Before you make a “bold” move, run it through three filters:

1️⃣ Does This Align With What Matters Most?

Your values are your guardrails. If a decision puts at risk what matters most—your people, your integrity, your stability—it’s not bold. It’s dangerous.

2️⃣ What’s at Risk if This Goes Wrong?

Every decision has risk. But not all risks are equal.

Ask:

• What happens if this fails?

• What’s the worst-case scenario?

• Can I recover from it?

I could replace a canoe. I couldn’t replace my nephew, or myself.

3️⃣ Am I Choosing This Because It’s Right… or Because It’s Exciting?

This one gets us more than we want to admit. Sometimes we choose the path not because it’s wise—but because it’s interesting. Because it’s faster. Flashier. More fun.

But leadership isn’t about chasing excitement. It’s about making decisions you can stand behind later.

The Waters We Navigate Every Day

In business, we face these decisions all the time.

• A risky investment

• A shortcut in process

• A partnership that feels off

• A strategy that looks good on paper but doesn’t sit right

The waters are always moving. The question is whether we’re navigating them wisely—or letting them take control.

Sometimes the Best Decision Looks Boring

Portaging around the falls wasn’t exciting. It was slower. More work. Less memorable.

But it was right.

And in leadership, the right decision often looks like:

• taking the long way

• doing the hard thing

• slowing down

• saying no

Those decisions don’t always make great stories. But they build strong organizations, strong relationships, and strong lives.

Final Thought

We made it through that day. (Although a 4 hour trip to the campsite ended up taking 12 hours in a broken canoe.)

We made it not because we made a good decision. We made it through in spite of it.

And that’s not a strategy.

So the next time you’re standing at the edge of something that feels bold, ask yourself:

Is this aligned with what matters most? Is the risk worth the cost? Am I choosing wisdom… or just chasing excitement?

Because the difference between bold and bad often comes down to one thing:

Clarity about what truly matters.