Success requires facing inherent risk, regardless of your profession. As an Army field artillery officer who has commanded at the company and battalion levels, I’ve faced my share of risk. And while there are arguable differences between the risks of daily life on Wall Street and those inherent in military combat, there are actually some very striking similarities and lessons to be learned. First, not everyone is prepared to lead in risky environments. Second, as leaders who are assessing risks, we need to have skin in the game; otherwise we are only pretending to lead. Third, character matters just as much as any knowledge or skills acquired from training and education.