Do you act first, or do you think first? Everybody’s different. We all have our own way of getting motivated, processing information, and making decisions. These tendencies are part of what we call our LAB Profile, a model created by Roger Bailey and made internationally renowned by Shelle Rose Charvet. Today, we’re exploring one of these key motivation patterns — the LEVEL pattern.

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The LAB Profile includes both motivation patterns and productivity patterns. In this article, we’ll focus on motivation and, more specifically, the difference between Reactive and Proactive people.

The Reactive Pattern

Reactive people think before acting. They take time to analyze situations carefully, which helps prevent mistakes and ensures their decisions are well thought out. They’re calm, composed, and stable under pressure. These individuals bring balance to fast-paced environments and are ideal for roles that require accuracy, reliability, or compliance.

Their reflective nature allows them to anticipate potential issues and plan effectively for contingencies. However, being highly reflective has its downsides. Reactive people may overthink or delay decisions — what we often call “analysis paralysis.” Their hesitation can lead to missed opportunities, and they sometimes struggle to get started without an external prompt. They tend to seek direction, encouragement, or approval before taking action, and because they prefer stability, they can appear resistant to change. Uncertainty or rapid transitions can make them uncomfortable.

The Proactive Pattern

Proactive people, on the other hand, take initiative. They move fast, create momentum, and make things happen. “Go, go, go” could be their motto! Their drive fuels progress and innovation. They are energetic, highly motivated, and self-starters who thrive on challenges. Their enthusiasm often inspires others to move forward. Proactive individuals are future-focused and opportunity-oriented — they see possibilities where others might see problems. Their mindset leans toward solutions, growth, and results.

Still, being highly proactive has its inconveniences. Acting too quickly can sometimes lead to impulsive decisions or overlooked details. Their impatience with processes or delays can cause frustration, especially when others need time to reflect. By jumping too quickly into action, they may skip crucial analysis or fail to gather enough input before moving ahead.

How to Communicate with Each Type

When you’re interacting with Reactive people, choose language that gives them space to think and process. You might say:

“Let’s take a moment to think this through.”

“You’ll have time to evaluate the options.”

“I’d like your thoughts before we move forward.”

“Here’s the background information.”

“Let’s make sure this is well thought out.”

“Once you’ve reviewed it, we can decide together.”

“There’s no rush — it’s important to get it right.”

“You’ll have all the data before making a choice.”

For Proactive people, on the other hand, use language that invites movement and quick decision-making:

“Let’s get started right away.”

“You can take the lead on this.”

“Here’s the next step.”

“You decide what works best.”

“This will give you a head start.”

“How fast do you want to move on this?”

“You’ll be ahead of the curve.”

“Let’s make it happen.”

“Try it out and see results right away.”

The Takeaway

We all process the world differently. Whether you’re more reactive or proactive, understanding these motivation patterns helps you communicate more effectively with others. By recognizing how people prefer to make decisions — and adjusting your language accordingly — you’ll be able to connect more deeply, influence more effectively, and ensure your message lands exactly as intended.

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