How to take initiative not just in the office…

Jenna Mendoza
UC Irvine Student
Intern for Assemblymember Joe Coto's Office

"What would you like your employees to be able to do that they are not currently doing?" "I'd like them to take more initiative in the office -and do things without being asked."

It is defined as "the action of taking the first step or move; the ability to think and act without being urged". People need to be proactive in their job (do things before they need to be done) instead of reactive (doing things after the need has been identified). Taking the initiative means that you start, on your own, to act and add value to the work you and your team are doing. This makes requests from a superintendent, manager or supervisor unnecessary, since you are already doing top priority work and getting things done.

Reasons why we hold back and are not proactive or don't take the initiative:

• fear that others may think we are overstepping our boundaries
• afraid that it might look like we don’t have enough work to do
• procrastination
• fear that we are not performing the task correctly
• not wanting to do anything “extra”
• matter of upbringing
• a matter of your own personality style

Mostly, it is a level of confidence that one gains by learning his or her job, looking around to see what needs to be done next and taking care of it.

Taking Initiative

You may have been expected to ask permission to do virtually everything and it was taken as a sign of respect that you ask before you act.

You may also have a behavioral style that lends itself to being more cautious and checking things out before you take action.

Sometimes it is as simple as handling a new job or a lack of familiarity with the needs of the job you are doing at the time.

When to take the initiative to make decisions:

1. When you know what needs to be done.
2. When it is in your realm of authority. You "push" your realm of authority in little steps. If it is "just" beyond a decision that you recently made you are probably OK to make this decision as well. If you are wrong and it was not in your realm of authority - you will be told!
3. When it is supporting the team.

“People work well with people who are easy to work with.”- Rhonda Scharf President of ON THE RIGHT TRACK - Training & Consulting

Some things you should know about taking the initiative at work:

• When you regularly take the initiative, people will see you as a hard worker, even if you are not working any harder than those who wait for requests.
• When you take the initiative, you may get it wrong. People will often forgive you for acting, even if it is not perfect.
• If you are worried about proceeding, you can also ask your supervisor if it would be okay if you went ahead and copleted the next steps and describe what you plan to do. This way, the supervisor knows you are thinking the job through and demonstrating intiative.
• Taking initiative is one of the best and fastest ways to get noticed by others in the company and often a leading factor in being considered for career advancement within the company.