Reactive vs Proactive
Reactive and proactive are two terms with a number of differences between them, primarily due to the prefixes attached to the common root word ‘active’. For example, in a class of 30 students, while all try to understand the concepts being taught, a few students will actively engage in experiments to verify and learn. These proactive students do not accept anything in their lives without being actively involved and tend to achieve better results than their more passive, reactive counterparts.
Key Takeaways
- Reactive individuals are responsive to situations but do not take the initiative or act on their own.
- Proactive individuals are prepared before an incident takes place, taking the initiative and being spontaneous.
- While both reactive and proactive approaches can work in today’s society, the proactive approach tends to be more rewarding but carries inherent risks.
What is Reactive?
Reactive refers to being responsive to something or someone. Reactive people usually respond to others but do not initiate action themselves. They only act when there is a need to respond to something else, which can be viewed as a negative trait, as these individuals are not spontaneous and need direction to complete tasks. For example, a college student who goes to college, gets a good education but does not make any effort to find a job, needs to be directed to take action.
What is Proactive?
Proactive refers to being prepared before an incident occurs. A proactive person takes the initiative and is ready for situations, unlike a reactive person. They are not passive but full of spontaneity. For example, a college student who actively seeks employment, engages in different programs and internships, is proactive. In a workplace, the difference between proactive and reactive employees is often noticeable, particularly when comparing departments with proactive and reactive leaders. A proactive leader anticipates events and works accordingly to minimize the effect or take advantage of the event.
What is the Difference Between Reactive and Proactive?
Reactive and proactive approaches are taken by people in different situations in life. The reactive approach involves action after an event has taken place to either minimize its effects or take advantage of the event. On the other hand, the proactive approach enables people to gauge or anticipate events and work accordingly to reap the rewards in a more significant manner.
