You may not want to hear this: Being REACTIVE is lazy behavior.
It's that knee-jerk, "Flight" or “Fight” mode where it is automatic response to whatever's thrown at you, which leaves you often stressful, exhausting, and let’s be honest, not always effective. Yet if you were RESPONSIVE? It allows real leadership magic.
More responsive ----> Better leader ---> Better team ---> Stronger company
---> More money!
What’s the difference?
Reacting is instant and emotional, often driven by stress or frustration.
Responding, on the other hand, is intentional and thoughtful. It’s about pausing, taking a breath, and choosing the best course of action.
It’s the difference between snapping at a team member for a mistake and calmly discussing what went wrong and how to fix it.
Easy to say, hard to execute! So here are some pointers to have:
Take a moment to Breathe IN: Seriously, just a few deep breaths can help clear your mind and stop you from reacting the same way as before.
Listen More, Speak Less: Get in the habit of really listening to your team. When you understand where they’re coming from, you can respond more effectively. Ask questions instead of making statements. It shows you’re invested in finding a solution, not just dishing out blame.
Set Clear Expectations: When your team knows what's expected, there's less room for surprise and less need for reactive behavior. Clear goals and open communication set the stage for responsive leadership.
Pro-tip: dumb down your expectations and assume less!
Create a "Pause" Culture: Encourage your team to take a pause, too. Where thoughtful responses are valued over quick reactions.
Reflect on Your Triggers: Know what sets you off. If you’re aware of your triggers, you can anticipate them and plan a better response. Maybe it’s missing deadlines or repeated mistakes—identify these and create a strategy to handle them calmly.
Practice Empathy: Remember, your team is human, and humans make mistakes. Responding with empathy rather than frustration builds trust and encourages open communication.
By becoming more responsive, you're not just improving your leadership skills—you’re creating a more positive and productive work environment. It takes practice, sure, but its worth it!
Remember, it's not what you do but how you do it! Style supersedes everything!
As always, I am here to help you get ridiculously loyal customers, so let's get to it!
