Through the years I have gained some perspective that can help us understand the concept of initiative. Initiative means taking a first step or movement to do something. We should all be initiators and want those around us to do the same.
I often work with two types of clients. Those who take initiative to build a great business, and others who get their business to a comfortable size and are complacent. The difference is the initiative that their leaders demonstrate in spite of the associated risks. Working with these different types of organizations reveals that it isn’t what they do that separates them, it’s the willingness to do more and take that next step.
I believe the enemies of initiative are fear and comfort. Fear is debilitating. Comfort causes complacency. Both obstruct movement. Remember, initiative is defined as a first step or movement.
Conrad Hilton once said, “Success seems connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” I have heard John Maxwell say, “Of all the things a leader should fear, complacency should head the list.”
Initiative is another step forward and requires that you:
Step out of the comfort zone
Look for opportunities
Act on vision
Have courage to be different
Set goals
Execute on goals
Those with the leadership qualities to take initiative:
Know what they want
Push themselves to act
Take more risks
Make more mistakes
To determine if you are an initiator, ask yourself these questions:
1.Are you constantly looking for opportunities or waiting for them to come to you?
2.Are you willing to take steps based on your best instincts or do you endlessly analyze everything?
3.When was the last time that you initiated something in your life?
4.Have you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone lately?
“Even the right decision is the wrong decision if made too late.” – Lee Iaccoca, former Chrysler chairman.
Think about the environment around you. Make sure it’s an environment that encourages initiative, not one paralyzed with the fear of failure. Lead people to take initiative and get out of their comfort zones. Strive for great things, both big and small, by taking more initiative. Gain a new perspective of the environment where you live, work and play and how important your initiative is to success.