Proactive and Reactive People

robertteh SG

Dr. Tan Cheng Bock once asked PM Lee: Are you not being reactive.

We do not know whether PM Lee understood what Dr. Tan had in mind in referring to his reaction to criticisms as reactive.

Here is the definition of Reactive and Proactive as given by Stephen R. Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:-

REACTIVE LANGUAGE
...........................
There is nothing I can do.

That is just the way I am.

He makes me so mad.

They won't allow that.

I have to do that.

I can't.

I must.

If only.

PROACTIVE LANGUAGE
.............................

Let's look at the alternatives.

I can choose a different approach.

I control my own feelings.

I can create an effective presentation.

I can choose an appropriate response.

I choose.

I prefer

I will.

Just use the above-stated list to check the responses to people's feedbacks on various problems.

Just look at how our ministers react to feedbacks treating them as whining or complaining and see for yourself how many of them are being proactive in problem solving.

I would say most of their responses could be classified as "We know better" "We have the mandate" "We have to do that". "There is no choice because we are a little red dot without resource", or "We must".

How often did we ever come across their responses as "I choose with proper study of alternatives", "I can" or "I will look into and let you know"

See for yourself how proactive or positive are our ministers.

the Bear SG

the difference between the reactive and proactive person is usually a lot of resources..

if you have a lot of resources to spare, you can be proactive and prepare for a lot of things and contingencies..

but you'll probably end up wasting a lot of resources.. and a lot of time..

if you have severely limited resources, you have to be reactive..

but either way, there will be a crapload of critics...

robertteh SG

I can summarize what you have said as "Government cannot do anything to be proactive because we are a little red dot without resource?

Is our educated workforce a resource?

the Bear SG

nope.. i'm saying that whatever the hell they do, they'll be damned by people like you...

heck! they'll be damned anyway Laughing

i don't like some of the things they do.. heck! most of the things they do.. but give credit where it is due and vilification where it is due too... do not tar all with the same brush like you always do...

btw, have you ever heard of this: your enemy's enemy may also be your enemy...

robertteh SG

Yes, I agree that we must give credit where credit is due. I have also assured many who criticize me many times before, if the government is willing to acknowledge some of the problems posted and solve them proactively such as its constant habit to raise taxes and make obscene profits from the people through various schemes I will become an active PAP supporter.

NotFromVenus SG

If there's no money to be made to solve problems , Who would volunteer?

The poor? or the Kind?
Or please Sms this number to donate to nice kind folks? Cool

GPSg SG

Proactive.... reactive.

You are more like a keyboardist, hiding behind the computer lecturing and telling what others should do. Why don't you take the lead and show us?

I hate armchair critics.

robertteh SG

It is the people who own this country, its surpluses, its assets, its army, its people.

Even the parliament they work in and the chairs they sit on. Without we the people paying the taxes and paying again all the talents our leaders claim as they have will be nothing.

Without our funds how can they ever get their million-dollar salaries and keep this country running.

If we are not happy we just change them and invite foreigners to take over their jobs.

People do not have to be grateful because they have paid our leaders millions to do their job well without arrogance or hypocrisy.

They are not doing their jobs for free so do not act above themselves.

Instead of allowing leaders to tell citizens to migrate as quitters people should tell the leaders if they are not happy with their jobs they could just step down with no tears shed by any one.
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