Leadership and Initiative At Work!
Posted by Celia Couture on Wed, Jan 12, 2011 @ 09:00 AM
If you don't own your company do you take initiative at work? The vast majority of readers will say, "yes!" Do we really work for someone else? Some of us have bosses and we collect paychecks, but ultimately, we own career success! Most employees believe that they can make a difference in the workplace if given a chance. Some companies build an environment where individual employee contributions are recognized and rewarded. Other companies are still boxed into a "permission-based" culture. Employees feel powerless to be creative, make suggestions or be accountable for results.
Employees who make a professional choice to strive for more than just what is expected are the keys to the success of your business. In his book, 1001 Ways to Take Initiative at Work, Bob Nelson states: “Taking initiative is a key ingredient in making improvements at work, dealing with change, and providing customers with service that is far beyond their expectations. Initiative is personal: the individual controls when, where, and how much initiative to take on the job. Even though its impact may be felt throughout an organization, initiative starts with the employee--and what he or she can do on a daily basis."
Focuses on what you can rather than can’t do, and make sure you realize that you can make a difference within your OWN function--in doing so you not only increase company success, but also your success. Think outside the box; stop putting up barriers that impede your forward progress. Consider how to do something differently than you have ever done before. Stand up for new ideas.
Innovation is what keeps organizations going. Be the one employee known for making a difference and showing initiative!