Taking the Initiative

Our basic nature is to act, and not be acted upon. As well as enabling us to choose our response to

particular circumstances, this empowers us to create circumstances

Taking initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious, or aggressive. It does mean recognizing

our responsibility to make things happen.

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE Brought to you by FlyHeart Over the years, I have frequently counseled people who wanted better jobs to show more initiative --

to take interest and aptitude tests, to study the industry, even the specific problems the organizations

they are interested in are facing, and then to develop an effective presentation showing how their

abilities can help solve the organization's problem. It's called "solution selling," and is a key paradigm in business success.

The response is usually agreement -- most people can see how powerfully such an approach would

affect their opportunities for employment or advancement. But many of them fail to take the

necessary steps, the initiative, to make it happen.

"I don't know where to go to take the interest and aptitude test."

"How do I study industry and organizational problems? No one wants to help me."

Many people wait for something to happen or someone to take care of them. But people who end

up with the good jobs are the proactive ones who are solutions to problems, not problems themselves,

who seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary, consistent with correct principles, to get the job

done.

Whenever someone in our family, even one of the younger children, takes an irresponsible position

and waits for someone else to make things happen or provide a solution, we tell them, "Use your R and I!" (resourcefulness and initiative). In fact, often before we can say it, they answer their own

complaints, "I know -- use my R and I!"

Holding people to the responsible course is not demeaning; it is affirming. Proactivity is part of

human nature, and although the proactive muscles may be dormant, they are there. By respecting the

proactive nature of other people, we provide them with at least one clear, undistorted reflection from

the social mirror.

Of course, the maturity level of the individual has to be taken into account. We can't expect high

creative cooperation from those who are deep into emotional dependence. But we can, at least, affirm

their basic nature and create an atmosphere where people can seize opportunities and solve problems in

an increasingly self-reliant way.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 746