There will never be someone telling you to do things your way at work. You have to take the initiative! Whether it s suggesting to someone else, or actually doing something first, taking the initiative is a good trait to develop. If you are unsure of how to take the initiative, look up the word "initiative" and see exactly what that means. You should know that it is basically being responsible for something, even if you don t exactly know what that entails.
One example of taking the initiative would be introducing a new team member to upper management. This can be intimidating to some people because they may feel that their ideas are too radical. They might also feel that their boss is going to laugh at them and not give them any support. Do not let this discourage you. If you think you are totally out of the reach of upper management, it is best to keep looking until you find a way to present your idea to them.
Another good reason for taking the initiative in the workplace is when your team member is having a hard time getting anywhere. Sometimes all they seem to want to do is complain and cry, rather than actually do anything positive for the company. If you have come up with a brilliant idea, but your coworker seems to be holding it back, step in and show them the way out. They will realize that there are better ways of getting things done, and will try to find the courage to take the initiative themselves.
There are many other examples of workplace initiative in action. A great example happened when I was working at Chase bank. A young woman who was a recent graduate graduated told me that she wanted to start a business of her own - she had no idea where to start.
She came up with an idea for a website that would help new Chase customers find answers to any upcoming issues they might have regarding Chase bank. She knew that she lacked expertise in computers, so she asked her coworkers for help. They designed, created, and launched a wonderful informational website, which was extremely successful. Not only did this initiative to bring fresh ideas to her coworkers, but also created a sense of teamwork in the workplace.
Taking the initiative, however, doesn't just mean standing up and taking charge. It is also about taking charge of your own self-confidence. After my brilliant idea won the Web Contest, I was ecstatic - but sad. Because it was such a competition, it meant that other companies were going to outbid me.
I realized that if I was going to win this contest, I needed to learn to stand out from the crowd. I needed to make a difference. This difference became my aura of self-confidence. I now approach all of my coworkers with the confident knowing that I can do whatever it takes to solve their problems. They are naturally attracted to this person; and so naturally, I am able to take initiative with them.
If you're looking to boost your self-confidence and get others to take initiative with you, consider taking the initiative yourself. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just make a positive difference in your workplace by stepping up and making a difference. Once you start showing initiative in your workplace, your coworkers will notice. Soon, they'll know you as a leader who takes charge, who is willing to lead, and who is willing to make a positive difference in the world.