I’ve met all sorts of leaders who craved control and who inadvertently invested energy in the wrong place to get it. No matter who you are, you cannot control the people or the circumstances around you. You can only control how you respond. Perhaps this isn’t newsworthy, but humour me for a moment. Reflect over the past two weeks and count how many times you instantly responded to something that happened around you or words another person said. Big or small – it doesn’t matter. Maybe it was the driver on the highway who cut you off or the teammate who did not deliver what they committed to deliver on time. Did you react or respond?
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth …” – Viktor Frankl
Reacting happens within a split second of something happening. It is fueled by emotion whether it be surprise, disappointment, annoyance, frustration, or anger. There’s not a lot of thought that goes into the verbal or physical reaction at least not upfront. Thought usually comes afterwards – if at all – in the form of unease or regret.
Responding is slower to manifest. It is fueled by a resonate intention whether it be a desire to contribute, progress, or support. Practicing a pause before responding allows you to mindful choose the impact you want to have. The outcome is intentional and allows all to move on with greater ease and flow. This is where the most meaningful and impactful control can be exercised by you as a person, no matter your role or circumstance.
