Let’s continue to consider the choices we have as leaders, focusing especially on another difference between proactive or anticipatory leadership and reactive leadership. Yesterday’s post included the reference of fire fighting as part of reactive leadership. This is because the focus is on crisis management. Well, it might not be the focus as much as the necessity. Because there is a lack of intentionality, reactionary leaders are constantly pulled into crisis management. And they will often blame others for the crises when it is primarily a result of their management style. They will excuse their reactionary approach to necessity. They don’t know how to move away from the corner of the room into meandering around the room, unless it is to rush to respond before asking questions and assessing a situation. People get attention because there are problems instead of being invested in to bring out their best. People who serve where a reactionary leader is in place doesn’t spend much time with leadership unless they are seen as underperforming. The leader responds to problems more than people.

There’s another choice, and it’s to encourage continual growth. Proactive leadership involves consistent coaching and encouragement, which includes not only way-to-go but also you-can-become-better! Responsible leadership fosters healthy accountability. It shares ownership, including the responsibility and the resources needed to move forward. It doesn’t hold team members back or hinder them with unnecessary time constraints or undefined processes. It’s healthy communication of expectations, consistent and fair evaluation, and the celebrations and consequences that come with the goals that are met or not. Proactive leadership is an investment, because it’s not only about the here-and-now. It recognizes potential and possibilities then explores the next steps in the determined direction. And it never stops reflecting, both individually and for the group, because productive growth can only happen with change. And that change has to be intentional.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of proactive or reactive leadership, you have lived the affirmation and motivation or the discouragement and stress. Consider your coping strategies as well as how your experiences are impacting the way you influence others. Because even when you have poor role models, you can learn a lot, even if it’s simply that you do not want to be like them. So, choose to be proactive and not just react to and manage the worst but invest in those around you and make the small everyday choices that make a difference in your life and others.

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