Telephone Excellence by Mike Mitchell

Initiative: The Path to Success
By Mike Mitchell

In 1998 ivillage.com conducted an online survey that included this question: What is most important for getting ahead in the workplace? Of the 7760 responses, 55% listed initiative as the most important trait required for success. The initiative we're talking about here is the characteristic of a "person with a purpose". The word "initiative" conjures up images of an employee who is always looking for ways to improve a situation, process or environment.

Initiative is marked by a continuing activity, and is not defined by a one-time occurrence. One employee told me that he always leaves a hospital restroom in better condition than when he found it. He does the little things that take only a few seconds (like cleaning the mirror) but his initiative creates a better environment for all of our patients and visitors. Another staff member takes the initiative to routinely pick up scraps of paper off of the hallway floor. Again, these are not big things but these employees are motivated to improve the appearance and cleanliness of our hospital. They take the initiative to do just that every day.

Of course, there are opportunities for us to take initiative which are farther reaching. Perhaps there's a new call accounting or ACD report that you know will be beneficial to other department managers but you haven't taken the time to send it out. You might be aware of a process which involves several departments, including yours, that needs to be improved. However, you've been apprehensive to take the initiative to improve the process because of the cost, employee conflicts, or some other reason.

As you take initiative consider the following questions:

Is this undertaking something I can do myself or do I need other employees to get involved?
Can I motivate them to help?
Why am I motivated to take action?
What steps will I need to take to carry out this initiative?
Am I willing to make the time commitment required?
Are there more important priorities at this time?
Would this project be considered someone else's assigned responsibility?
Do I need anyone's approval to take action?
Who will benefit from my initiative?
What is the cost

We describe a person who takes action on an idea as one who takes initiative. If our goal is to be successful in our chosen field, we must be aware of our opportunities, make the appropriate decisions, and take the initiative to improve our working environment. Initiative is the key to increasing your value and moving up to the next level in your career.

- Mike