For a person to be proactive, it means they make things happen instead of waiting for them to happen to them. Employees with such a trait look ahead for the planning, preparation and execution of their projects and assignments. They seek to address tasks beforehand; that’s why they ensure to stay one step ahead of the curve such that they are better prepared for what waits around the corner. Yvonne Nirere, a businesswoman, says proactive employees always add value to a business, and because of that, they have high chances of securing or maintaining a job. Any employee with a proactive mind, has higher chances of growth in their careers. “They easily seek out opportunities, for example, in trainings, seminars or workshops. This gives them a chance to learn new things and to adjust to new challenges or responsibilities that come their way,” Nirere says. As an employee, Rogers Munyaneza, a banker, says what has helped him survive in his career is planning ahead when it comes to execution of his tasks. This, he says, helps him prepare for any shortcomings that would otherwise jeopardise his job. “When you are a proactive employee, meeting deadlines is not a challenge, this also gives you ample time to perform to the best of your ability, and gives you enough time to assess or review your work without necessarily having to rush onto your next assignment,” he says. Proactive vs reactive An article, The 4 Benefits of Being Proactive at Work highlights that there are two types of employees in the workplace; the people who are proactive and the people who are reactive. The people who plan ahead and the people who are always one step behind. Reactive employees are employees who will do what is absolutely necessary. Reactive employees typically won’t start tasks or projects ahead of time and, therefore, can end up constantly falling behind. A proactive employee is someone who is always doing more than necessary and even prior to the due date to get ahead. It indicates that proactive employees are more relaxed, stress-free and generally more on top of their work. They’re prepared and know what their schedule is like in the future and so much more. The article indicates that when you’re proactive, you know what the days ahead consist of. You generally have things completed beforehand and know when things are coming up. You get a great rep in the office because you are reliable and always complete your workload on time. Knowing that tasks/projects can be thrown at you any time of the day and you can handle it because you prepared yourself, is a great feeling and makes work way more enjoyable. When you are a proactive employee, you are in control. You understand where you fall short because you’re prepared for any obstacles. This allows you to self-reflect and become an even better employee. You see where you excel and you see what things take more time, allowing you to prepare ahead even more.
