Effective initiative in the workplace is subjective and requires clear communication to align perceptions and expectations among colleagues.
Active reflection and discussion about work foster innovative ideas, enabling individuals to identify opportunities for taking meaningful initiative.
Deep dives
Understanding Initiative from Different Perspectives
Taking initiative is often subjective, influenced by individual perceptions and expectations within the workplace. An action taken with the intention to assist may be perceived differently by supervisors, leading to misunderstandings about the display of initiative. For instance, someone may send an email intended to help, only to be confronted for acting prematurely. Recognizing that initiative is interpreted differently by each person involved is crucial for effective workplace communication and alignment.
Reflecting on Work to Inspire Action
Active reflection on one’s work is vital for recognizing opportunities to take initiative. Engaging in conversations with colleagues can help uncover insights and foster new ideas, allowing individuals to identify areas where they can contribute more meaningfully. This process of externalizing thoughts often reveals blind spots that may not be apparent when working in isolation. Thus, dedicating specific time to think and discuss work actively encourages the generation of innovative ideas and the confidence to act on them.
Executing Ideas with Care
Execution is a critical step following reflection and conversation, requiring individuals to act on their insights and ideas. It involves assessing the potential impact of one’s actions and determining how far to proceed before communicating these initiatives to supervisors. Those hesitant to take steps forward may benefit from clearly defining their intentions and analyzing whether their actions align with organizational goals. The emphasis remains on taking initiative thoughtfully, with an awareness of the broader implications of one’s decisions.
Communicating Effectively About Initiatives
Advocating for ideas and being clear about the intent behind initiatives is essential for gaining support and ensuring collective progression. This involves framing communications not just in terms of personal benefits, but rather focusing on how the proposed actions improve team dynamics and work outcomes. The understanding that initiatives should serve the organization rather than serve self-interest fosters a collaborative environment. Overall, effective communication substantiates one’s initiatives and helps in building momentum for collective success.
Tom Henschel of Essential Communications supports senior leaders and executive teams. An internationally recognized expert in the field of workplace communications and self-presentation, he has helped thousands of leaders achieve excellence through his work as an executive coach and his top-rated podcast, The Look & Sound of Leadership.
Have you been told you should take more initiative? Or, perhaps you’ve been telling that to someone else? Either way, this conversation with Tom Henschel will outline three key steps to help you get started.
Key Points
Three steps to taking more initiative:
Think and talk about your work. Ideas come through conversation.
Execute on your idea. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Communicate what you’ve done.
Initiative is often in the eye of the beholder.
Imagine a scale that goes from bold to cautious. There’s probably room for you to be at least 5% bolder.
Feeling like you are waiting on others may be an indicator to take initiative.
To calibrate where you land, ask yourself: “What’s my typical pattern?”
In correspondence, consider asking fewer questions and making more statements.
Place yourself in situations where you’ll need to show initiative.
