knee jerk

What is your knee jerk reaction?  In other words, when something negative happens, what is your first response?  I'm learning in leadership, that wisdom does not REACT, but rather RESPONDS to situations.  Reaction is natural and is almost always led by my emotions, which are fickle and not rationale.  Responding, on the other hand, is looking at the big picture, taking myself out of it and deciding what is the WISE thing to do.  If we are going to lead well, we must learn to keep a level head and not let our emotions get the best of us.  Do you react or respond?