Always Respond...Never React

Response and Reaction – Superficially both seem to be the same. It is how we reply to a situation. But there is a very fine line of difference in Response and Reaction which hampers the outcome in a big way. Many of us always react to situations and never respond. Reactions most of the times led to unhappy people and/or worsen the situation.

Reaction is what we all commonly do. We just react to any situation or emotion on spur of moment without thinking about the repercussions. We don’t control our emotions, analyse the situation and react. We just let it out. We just get angry or irritated by everything happening in a particular moment. Reactions are always superficial and never thought. Major drawback for reaction is bitter relations leading to separations. Reaction is not always the best way to retort any situation.

Response is a well thought. The reply and its repercussions are processed. This is exactly what we should do but we never do. Response is to look at our emotion specially the negative emotions. When we respond, we control our emotion and hold our reply. We give a thought to the outcomes. Responding to a situation always creates better relationships. Responding is always a better way to retort any situation.

Let’s take a situation, a kid drops glass vessel and it breaks. It is obvious that the kid did not drop it on purpose. But our usual reaction would be that we would yell at the kid, ask him to behave or may even end up bashing the kid. All this would lead to upset the child and may affect the bond in long run. All said and done the broken vessel will never be mended. So overall it is a loss which is intangible only to be understood at a later stage.

In the same situation, if we respond then we would first hold our anger. We would understand that kid did not do it on purpose. First thing we would do is ask the kid if he has got hurt. May be the second thing is to explain the kid to take care hence forth.

Probably this is one of the lessons taught in every B School that Leaders should always respond and never react. We always forget that the lessons taught in B School are not only applicable in official context but also applicable in personal context. Applying it in personal context will lead to far more and much better results.

To sum it up lets pledge to respond to situations rather than react. Response is positive and well thought. Reactions are always negative. Response will always lead to better relation, better future and strong bonds.  Response is mature behavior while Reaction is immature.

Life is always how you retort to a situation. Think if you would like to Respond or React.

- Deepti