WHEN faced with a crossroads, which path do you choose? Do you veer right or left? What does your intuition whisper, or do you consult Mr. Waze or Mr. Google Maps?
At work, we frequently encounter a different kind of crossroads—the choice between reacting or responding. While they may seem similar, they're the North and South of behavioral approaches to various situations.
Reacting is impulsive. It lacks substantial thought or any consideration of consequences. If I may be blunt, it's akin to animal instinct. If it's physical, it's a reflex reaction that your muscle executes.
Reacting tends to be emotional and short-term. Hasty decisions often stem from being excessively emotional—subjectivity over objectivity. It also focuses on immediate outcomes.
In the workplace, decision-making is a crucial part of management training. Decisions involving people are the hardest. Contrary to the song that claims breaking up is hard to do, decision-making is more challenging.
This reactive behavior is not limited to work; it's intertwined in our personal lives. Imagine being stuck in traffic. A vehicle cuts you off. I have to be honest. In my younger years, my hand had an auto-respond mode—angrily pressing the horn. Times have changed.
Picture a Monday morning. You open your email. Surprise! It malfunctioned. At the back of your mind, "Oh no! My deliverables, my deadlines!" Thinking out loud, "DG! What did you do?"
Now, consider a crowded elevator, and someone accidentally stepped on your shiny shoe. Your initial reaction would be to glare at that person and a muttered curse.
Another way of approaching these situations is to respond. Responding is a behavior that involves conscious thought. It's calm and intentional—a responsible approach to unexpected situations. It considers the bigger picture and long-term effects—objectivity over subjectivity.
When emails fail, you calmly call IT and request assistance. You explore alternative communication options and still get things done.
Instead of glaring at the person who accidentally stepped on your shoe, you smile and say, "No worries."
Choosing to respond reveals the silver lining. It leads to sound decision-making, effective risk management, and heightened emotional intelligence.
Ergo, opt to respond. It fosters a good working environment and nurtures lasting relationships. Leave the knee-jerk reactions to your motor reflexes.
