29 February 2024
Taking initiative at work is crucial to your growth as an individual and professional, making it a great learning opportunity for your future. At work, initiative is applicable whether a task calls for quick thinking or you feel driven to find a solution. Increase your influence in the workplace by learning how to lead by example and achieve success in any setting.
Taking initiative at work is demonstrated when an action you do enhances work performance, and you primarily take it because you are a self-starter. Why is taking the initiative necessary?
Showing initiative is excellent for you and your team:
- It helps with career growth
- It builds your skills
- It teaches you to be a problem-solve
- It prepares you for leadership roles
- It gives you confidence
When you take the initiative, you can develop your skills and abilities, making you a valuable asset to your company. When you have a solution, test it, observe the results, and accept responsibility for the process. This implies that you are equally responsible for your solutions and team’s outcomes. Additionally, it would help if you discussed the outcome of your solutions and their influence, whether they have improved everyone’s work life for the better or not.
While it may seem obvious how your solution influences the tasks assigned to your team, direct feedback from all group members is necessary. Seek input on your ideas and implement suggested feedback at your earliest convenience. Bring feedback you are not convinced about to your manager’s attention and discuss to see if there are better solutions that the whole team can agree on.
Master the process
Being proactive in the workplace is a continuous process that leads to success. When a challenge arises, or you see new opportunities to advance in areas where you have previously made progress, take the initiative. However, when you take the initiative, embrace leadership qualities and incorporate them into your work attributes.
Leaders are active decision-makers. They are proactive, self-assured, and brave rather than reactive; they think quickly and act appropriately. Developing leadership skills enables you to support innovation, advancement, and problem-solving skills among in your work and the organisation.
When you step into the spotlight of taking initiative, you must trust yourself and be open to criticism. Not everyone will take your ideas and suggestions without opposing or seeing things differently. Lastly, only some people are comfortable taking initiative or know how to do so. It is something that is developed mentally and takes strength to do. If you succeed in taking the initiative and stepping in as a leader in your organisation, make it a priority to benefit entirely.