Are You a Responder or a Reactor?

Over the course of my business and professional career, I have learned the hard way that there’s a big difference between reacting and responding. I have been guilty (more times than I’d like to admit) of reacting, firing off emails in frustration, making snap decisions under pressure, or blaming others when things went south. And almost every time, it’s come at a cost financially, emotionally, or in relationships.

Reacting is impulsive. It’s letting frustration, fear, or ego take the wheel. When we react, we often act without perspective or clarity. It might feel satisfying in the moment, but it rarely delivers a good outcome.

Responding, on the other hand, is a skill, a learned behaviour that comes from discipline, self-awareness, and a willingness to pause. It means taking a breath, absorbing the challenge, and considering your options before making a move. It’s rooted in ownership, resilience, and a focus on progress, not payback.

In tough business times, it is easy to point fingers at the economy, politicians, competitors, suppliers, but they’re usually just doing their ‘job’ and trying to survive too. The better approach is to understand their role and ‘walk in their shoes’ a bit, but don’t let them control your next move. Shift your energy to what you can influence. Focus on new income streams, leaner operations, better systems, new markets and more effect management and leadership.

Responding won’t guarantee success, but it gives you the best shot at achieving it.

Sometimes, though, making that shift is easier said than done. That’s where a coach or mentor can make all the difference. Someone you trust to keep you balanced, to challenge your thinking, to help you see things differently, and to give you that much-needed nudge in the right direction.

Next time things go sideways, ask yourself, “am I reacting… or am I responding?”

Reach out to me at SAS Business if you need some wisdom or experience to guide your next steps.