You’ve read the title of my blog and are probably wondering, what does he mean by “creating reactions?” I don’t blame you. I questioned the same thing when I first heard this term. I was watching who is now my greatest influence, Jon Taffer, host of the TV show, Bar Rescue and hospitality consultant, give a keynote. Taffer stated in his book, Raise The Bar, that we are all in the same business at the end of the day. We are in the business of creating positive reactions. By no means did I create this philosophy, but I endorse it 100% and know that it can work for anyone regardless of your work industry.
For example, as a graphic designer, I don’t design a restaurant menu. Instead, I create a reaction, but achieve it through the restaurant menu design. My goal is to elicit a reaction to the restaurant menu. Otherwise it’s stuck in mediocrity. I’ll give you another example; a janitor doesn’t simply clean up after an office crew. He creates a reaction, but achieves it through his cleaning abilities. When the office crew walks in the next morning and sees how spotless the floors are, the janitor has served his purpose. By the end of this blog, you will know how to create positive reactions professionally, socially, and personally.
Professionally
Let’s start with creating reactions professionally. In my profession as a designer, I create reactions through my designs. If I’m designing a restaurant menu, I make the most profitable items more prominent and appear the most appetizing. When guests order these profitable items more frequently, I’ve created a positive reaction and achieved it through the menu design.
When your business makes a profit, you’re creating a positive reaction. This proves customers are interested in your service. What if your boss decides to give you a promotion? This is proof you created a reaction toward your boss and proves he is pleased with your work performance. Regardless of the industry you work in, there is always a way to create the right reactions.
Socially
Establishing great relationships with your peers is another way of creating positive reactions. This can be done through body language. Tim Rothe and Stefan Wabner, authors of Body Language and Social Dynamics, state that when you engage in conversation, using open hands displays trustworthiness and openness. The moment this body language catches your peer’s full attention, you’re creating a reaction and achieving it through body language. It’s very common to see people give presentations with open hand body language to reinstate their openness to the audience. Next time you’re having a conversation with your peers, use the open hand technique and see how they react!
Personally
Now it’s time to get a little selfish, in a positive way of course! You can even create reactions with yourself! A simple way to do this is by setting personal goals. Every Monday, I set a goal to complete before the upcoming weekend. If I’m working on a big project, I’ll break it up into bits and make each bit due before each weekend. If I want to learn something new, I’ll make time each weeknight to gain the necessary knowledge before the weekend arrives. I don’t achieve my goal every week, but when I do, I create that personal reaction I’ve been looking for.
Overcoming fear is another great way to create a personal reaction. Public speaking was my fear. I realized when I isolated myself and recited bulleted points on a notecard over and over, I was not nervous of it when it was time to present. Setting goals is a great way to create that personal reaction you deserve.
Conclusion
At the end of the day we’re all in the business of creating positive reactions. We do it professionally, socially, and personally. I see it as a lifestyle. It has made me more productive and positive than ever before. Now that you have a good understanding of creating reactions, I want to hear about one of the three reactions you’ve created.
Leave a comment about a time when you created a positive reaction!
*SOURCES*
Taffer, Jon.Raise The Bar. New York: Amazon Publishing, 2013. Print.
Rothe, Tim, and Stefan Wabner. “Body Language and Social Dynamics.” Sonamics Wordpress, sonamics/en/.