--- title: Are You A Responsive Or Reactive Leader? description: A leader’s actions telegraph what is happening internally—high energy or high alert—and like it or not, what you do as a leader is contagious. image: https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/file-1565081151-jpg/blog-files/ReactiveResponsiveLeader.jpg --- [**](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/are-you-a-responsive-or-reactive-leader#tmpmodule_1568675152246189) - [Client Login](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/gibson-client-login) - [Contact Us](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/contact) **** [![Gibson Logo](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png?width=2518&height=1088&name=Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png) ![Gibson Logo](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png?width=2518&height=1088&name=Gibson%20UNISON%20Co_Horiz_Logo_Gold_White-1.png) ](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/) [**](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/are-you-a-responsive-or-reactive-leader#tmpmodule_1568675152246189) - [Services](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/employee-benefits) - [Business Insurance](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/business-insurance) - [Private Client Group](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/services/private-client-group) - [Industries](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/industries) - [Insights & News](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog) - [Insights & News](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog) - [Webinars](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/webinars) - [Podcast](https://podcast.thegibsonedge.com) - [About Us](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/about-us) - [Become a Partner](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/become-a-partner) - [Leadership](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/leadership) - [Community Impact](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/impact) - [Sightline](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/sightline) - [About URA](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/ura) - [Offices](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/offices) - [Careers](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/careers) ** ###### 3 min read # [Are You A Responsive Or Reactive Leader?](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/are-you-a-responsive-or-reactive-leader) Sep 12, 2014 6:30:00 AM *Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Dr. Kathy Cramer, founder and managing partner of The Cramer Institute. Tim Leman is taking some time off from writing his weekly blog to work on an exciting project focused on culture and leadership. We hope you enjoy Dr. Cramer’s wisdom and perspective.* ![ReactiveResponsiveLeader](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/file-1565081151-jpg/blog-files/ReactiveResponsiveLeader.jpg)Highly effective leaders tend to be highly responsive leaders. In psychological terms, being *r**esponsive ***involves thoughtfully and intentionally adapting your behavior to the current circumstance. It entails first taking the time to calmly digest what is happening. In contrast, being ***reactive ***means to go straight into high-alert stress mode. Your brain automatically processes the problem as a state of emergency and your sympathetic nervous system is activated, preparing your body to fight, flee, or freeze. Of course, it is not possible to always be completely calm under stressful conditions. In a difficult situation, a deficit-based *reactive* mind-set is natural at first. But if you can shift into *responsive* mode, you can channel your adrenaline to serve you and the situation. #### **What’s The Risk?** A leader’s actions telegraph what is happening internally—high energy or high alert—and like it or not, what you do as a leader is contagious. If you are in a responsive, creative mode, the team is more likely to operate in that way too, which makes finding the solution to a problem all the more possible. The negative corollary is also true: what the leader does in the reactive, high-alert mode will trigger a similar, unproductive stress reaction in team members. A keen awareness of what happens when you are angry, afraid, energized, or engaged is key to making that shift from responding to reacting so that you can take advantage of whatever situation arises. Click to download the [*Reading Your Body in Real*](http://www.drkathycramer.com/wp-content/thesis/skins/mobile-first/images/resources_reacting_responding.pdf) [*Time*](http://www.drkathycramer.com/wp-content/thesis/skins/mobile-first/images/resources_reacting_responding.pdf)[ questionnaire](http://www.drkathycramer.com/wp-content/thesis/skins/mobile-first/images/resources_reacting_responding.pdf), which I have provided as a free resource from, [*Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do*](http://www.drkathycramer.com/books/lead-positive). The questionnaire asks you to reflect on the emotions that arise when you find yourself in challenging situations. It is designed to remind you that adrenaline serves two masters: responsiveness and reactivity. Learn to quickly assess which track you are on the next time you encounter a stressful situation. *For additional free resources or to read an excerpt from the book, go to* [*http://www.drkathycramer.com/books/lead-positive*](http://www.drkathycramer.com/books/lead-positive)*.*   ***This content was written and shared by guest blogger, Dr. Kathy Cramer.*** ![Kathy_Cramer_headshot](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/hs-fs/file-1517781202-jpeg/blog-files/Kathy_Cramer_headshot.jpeg?t=1409841274338&width=152&name=Kathy_Cramer_headshot.jpeg)Kathy Cramer, Ph.D., is the founder and managing partner of The Cramer Institute in St. Louis, MO. She has received wide media recognition in such outlets as *The Oprah Winfrey Show,* *Personal Excellence, St. Louis Business Journal, Realtor* magazine, TomPeters.com, Forbes.com, and other national and regional venues. She has produced two films on stress, one of which received an Emmy Award. Under Kathy's leadership, organizations such as DuPont, Microsoft, Starbucks, Peabody Energy, Deloitte & Touche, MasterCard and the US Air Force have adopted Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) approaches to developing their leaders and managing change. For more than thirty years, she and her colleagues have pioneered the development of ABT approaches. Her signature programs, keynotes, books, online, and new media offerings have passionate followers among corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, schools, psychologists, coaches, and others who are dealing with change, transition, innovation, and success in today's world. The Cramer Institute has built strong relationships with several schools in the St. Louis area where ABT has been integrated into teacher training and the curriculum. Recently, the Institute has joined forces with ABT Coach to give coaches and their clients new ways to jump start and sustain coaching results. Learn more about Dr. Cramer and read additional blog posts on [her website](http://www.drkathycramer.com/).  Connect with Dr. Cramer on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DrKathyCramer), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=28622854), and [Facebook](ttps://www.facebook.com/DrKathyCramer). ###### Topics: [Executive](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/topic/executive) ![Gibson](https://via.placeholder.com/100x100.jpg/e0e7ee) #### Written by [Gibson](https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/author/gibson) Gibson is a team of risk management and employee benefits professionals with a passion for helping leaders look beyond what others see and get to the proactive side of insurance. Gibson is driven by close relationships with clients, employees, and the communities they serve. The first Gibson office opened in 1933 in northern Indiana, and as the company’s reach grew, so did their team. 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