On today’s workplace, taking initiative has become increasingly important with organisations going for employees who can think on their own and take action without waiting for someone to tell them what to do. Taking initiative simply means showing a self-starting nature; it’s a proactive approach and can certainly establish you as a valued employee at work. Anitha Isimbi, an IT specialist working with a construction company believes that making it or excelling at your job, goes down to taking initiative. She notes that in the workplace, exceeding expectations by taking on tasks without being asked can improve your overall work experience and help you reach your career goals. Personally, I would say that an employee who carries out tasks without being told, shows how determined and passionate they are for their job, she says. According to her, taking initiative also involves taking advantage of opportunities that come your way but also having a persistent spirit to keep going even when things get tough. Mathias Nkeeto, an educator at Green Hills Academy believes that taking initiative means taking ownership of one’s decision-making process and proactively getting things done. He however notes that taking initiative requires the ability to teach yourself new skills, and, in the long run, becomes a way to improve your professional life and reach your personal goals. Nkeeto explains that an employee who takes initiative at work demonstrates self-confidence and shows how willing they are to put in the hard work necessary to improve their professional or personal life. “In addition to this, taking initiative is a must-have skill in this era. This is the first step toward meeting your goals and achieving your dreams as an individual. When you take initiative, it also ensures that your voice and ideas are heard, which is vital,” he says. How to achieve this From an expert’s point of view, initiative is a skill that one can develop and that there are steps on how to go about this. Here are some of them; Develop a career plan Research has shown that people who have a long-term career plan are more likely to take initiative. Professionals who know what they want and where they want to go are far more likely to show initiative at work, especially when the action or decision will help them further their career goals. Build self-confidence It can take courage and a strong sense of self to show initiative, especially if you fear that people may disagree with your actions or suggestions. For instance, set small goals so you can achieve some quick wins. And push yourself to do (positive) things that you would otherwise be scared to do – this will not only help you build your self-confidence, it will help you build the courage to accomplish bigger, scarier tasks later on. Find balance While it’s important to take initiative, it’s just as important to be wise in the way that you use it. In some situations, it can be inappropriate to take initiative, and people who generate too much extra work for other people can upset others.
