Planner Or Reactor?: 08-25-2025

1. Planners are future-oriented, with maps outlining how to achieve their goals. In contrast, reactors are focused on the present and solving crises.
2. Planners are forward-thinking, proactive, and strategic. In contrast, reactors are impulsive, respond to the current situation only, and are more like firefighters in the field.
3. Planners seek to minimize risks through preparation and foresight, including the development of contingency plans. In contrast, reactors thrive in uncertain situations, requiring spontaneity and a willingness to take risks.
4. Planners prefer predictability, schedules, structure, and refining processes. In contrast, reactors prefer flexibility and the ability to adapt to a changing environment quickly.
5. Planners excel at achieving long-term goals, maintaining consistency, avoiding crises, and continual quality improvement. Reactors excel in fast-paced, unpredictable environments that require fast and effective decisions under pressure.
6. Planners can over-plan and over-control, thereby thwarting creativity and adaptability, and ultimately failing to respond to unexpected changes. Reactors can lack foresight, fail to adapt structures to prevent recurring problems, and neglect to plan for adequate resources and long-term responses to actions.
7. Few individuals are capable of excelling at both planning and reacting simultaneously. One example of someone who did excel at both is Steve Jobs.