SEPTEMBER 2024 – Employment Advice Column:
SOFT SKILL: Top 6 strategies to build initiative at work
Dear Joanna,
I’m working as a receptionist at a law firm. My Reena job coach is teaching me how to initiate at work so I can be more self-sufficient. This skill is the most challenging one. For example, I am nervous about asking my boss for more tasks once I completed the ones he has assigned me. Please can you explain what does taking initiative really mean on the job?
Signed: The Initiative Challenge
Dear TIC
Many of the job seekers whom we help at Reena struggle with this same skill or behaviour. Taking initiative can be learned with practice. In brief it’s a great way to show your employer that you care, are dedicated, and enjoy learning new tasks – you are ready for more. This is a major way to be a successful employee.
These are the top six strategies to build initiative at work sourced from these two blogs that I found quite helpful: https://www.terrastaffinggroup.com/resources/blog/how-to-take-initiative-at-work-tips-for-success/ and https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/article/6-ways-to-take-initiative-at-work/. Work with your job coach to prepare and practice all of these suggested tips below.
- Request feedback. Don’t wait for your annual performance review. Request a brief check in meeting with your boss when he is available. Respect the fact that he is quite busy. Asking your boss for more tasks is a great way to show initiative. It’s also important that you learn what you’re doing right (and wrong) in the tasks you already have. Use the honest feedback to learn, and grow. This shows both workplace initiative and an eagerness to improve yourself—both of which reflect positively on you as an employee.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Asking smart, thoughtful questions can actually show your interest in your job, team and company. Again, prepare (and practice if you have to) goings on of your workplace, which are qualities any boss should be happy to have in an employee. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the way things work in your own office, since knowing how the process goes can help you contribute to making that process even better down the line.
- Ask for more responsibilities. Another way to express initiative at work is to ask your boss for more responsibilities, more training, more ways you can help. If you don’t ask, you could end up waiting and hoping for an opportunity to eventually come your way. So don’t be afraid to go after what you want and make things happen. Talk to your boss about what you’re interested in. Or you can simply ask for what you’d like to do, if you have something specific in mind. The more you know how to do, the more indispensable you are to your boss and your team.
- Remember others. When taking initiative at work, it’s important to take into consideration the needs of your coworkers and team members. Their successes reflect well on you, and your successes reflect well on them—but the same can be said of failures. Focusing on what’s beneficial for you as part of a team demonstrates your willingness and ability to be a true team player. Again, discuss this with your job coach so you can apply this skill and strategy. As you become more confident in your role, and in the team, taking initiative should be easier.
- Volunteer to help. Show that you are a team player by offering to help without needing to be asked. That’s a key ingredient in taking initiative. Because it means that you aren’t just thinking about your own success. You care about the success of your team. Take on a task that you know is avoided, for example. Offer to train new employees. Check in with your coworkers to see if you can make their day more manageable.
- Be proactive. Thinking ahead and anticipating needs is a great way to show initiative at work. It’s an incredible skill that will have major benefits for you and for your team. It means that you know how to prioritize and manage your workload. It demonstrates excellent time management, and it showcases your flexibility and adaptability. You may even be able to find solutions before something becomes a problem.
Joanna
To submit your challenges, concerns, questions and comments regarding this column and/or your job search IN CONFIDENCE, please email Joanna Samuels, Employment Resource Supervisor, Reena – jsamuels@reena.org
Joanna