“It’s like the difference between the doctor saying you’re reacting to the medication, or that you’re responding to the medication.”
– Zig Ziglar, as paraphrased by Kevin Eikenberry, in his post on “responding vs. reacting”
It’s a choice we have multiple times every day.
Something happens and we can either react or respond. (See Eikenberry’s blog link for more!)
Much of our conditioning leads us to want — heck, maybe even need — to react. For me, it was a grandfather who was one reactionary dude, and he passed that gene along to his daughter, who happened to be my mom. (Disclaimer: Both were exceptional people of impeccable character and good intention. They were just wired to, well, to react…but it really is a decision, no matter how we’re wired. Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, conditioning – where the “wiring” comes from…)
For most of us, it’s an education system that focuses on grades at the expense of learning.
For all of us, it’s a media dominated culture that rewards and glorifies reacting. Reactionism. (I just made that word up. Isn’t having a blog cool?)
Difference makers don’t react. They respond.
Someone makes a mistake. Do you punish or do you coach?
Someone quits. Do you counter-offer or do you seek to understand and do a better job of hiring – and leading – the next time around?
Sales slow down. Do you fire everyone or do you get to root cause and fix it?
You make a mistake. Do you blame, cover and hide, or do you own it and learn from it and make it better out of the opportunity?
It’s a choice we have multiple times every day. Something happens and we can either react or respond.
Difference makers respond.
Godin – worthy post, Steve.