Responding Versus Reacting

People ask, "Isn't Responding and Reacting the same thing?" Actually, though the words are similar, the difference is significant. For example, did you respond well to the medication your doctor prescribed, or did you have a bad reaction?

Here's a "Winning Without Intimidation" look at the difference between those two concepts. Recently I was pulling into a parking space. Being too hurried and not paying attention as I should have, I didn't notice that the car parked in the next space had a man coming out of it. I hit the brakes in plenty of time, but it gave the man a start. He glared at me with that look that said, "You (insert nasty name here)!"

He reacted. Who could blame him? Now I had a choice; would I react to his reaction? . . . or would I respond, thereby diffusing an otherwise uncomfortable (and potentially nasty) situation, and hopefully turning a potential enemy into a friend? I chose to respond. I immediately raised my hand with a sincere smile and mouthed, "Sorry, my fault."

He then responded with a smile and a wave of his own. Funny thing is, when I got out of my car, his words to me were actually, "sorry, I should have looked before getting out of my car." Can you believe that??!!

I see two results to that situation; One is that a potential (and too typical) argument turned into a friendly exchange. Secondly, next time he is in a similar situation, there's a good chance he will respond instead of react, turn a potential enemy into a friend, and begin his own chain reaction of kindness and friendship.

Bob Burg http:www.burg.com is author of Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales, Winning Without Intimidation and The Success Formula.

He has a full line of books, ebooks and CDs from which everyone can grow and prosper. Check them out by going to http:www.burg.com , then click on the link to his online store. Bob also publishes a free weekly ezine to which you can subscribe going to http://www.burg.com/newsletter.html.