The following is an article “How to be Proactive not Reactive”
by Marc Primo.
Businesses involve human beings, and as such we are prone to mistakes that can be solved proactively. Below are ten ways to be less reactive under challenging situations.
1. Avoid responding in anger
The way our employees or coworkers react to a problem or situation may disappoint us. We want solutions, not stagnation or fear when facing such issues. Reacting in anger will not help solve the problem either. If you feel angry, before you say something, take a deep breath and count slowly to ten. In most cases by the time you reach ten your anger is subdued and this will give you the chance to approach the situation positively.
2. Don't jump to conclusions
Everyone is caught up in their little universe in which they are the lead role. Sometimes our colleague's behavior might feel harsh or confrontational. Before taking it personally, come up with multiple ways of viewing the situation before reacting.
For example, I may feel my boss didn’t answer my call because she’s disregarding me, or I can recognize the possibility that she’s swamped. We should avoid personalizing others behavior; this will tremendously reduce the chance of a misunderstanding.
3. Put Yourself in Their Shoes
When dealing with a difficult coworker, try to put yourself in their shoes. Figure out why they might be acting the way they are. With that in mind make rational choices about how you interact with them.
For example:
Production is opposing every idea your marketing team gives them. Put yourself in their shoes. It must not be easy to make the product in time with the quality expected. The solution, work with them to know what is within their means to produce without sacrificing quality.
4. Don't let yourself be pressured into a decision
Some decisions require thought. When somebody's pressuring you to make a decision you are not sure about, buy time and state: "I will think about it." This phrase could instantly lift the pressure. Take the time to evaluate the pros and cons, and think about whether you would like to negotiate a better deal.