[This article is part of the Employee Edge: Sharpen Your Skills & Drive Your Impact series from Total Career Management Services.]
Initiative and proactiveness mean you don’t wait for things to happen; you make them happen. You look for ways to improve things and act on them without being asked. This makes you a valuable asset to any team, as you anticipate needs and drive solutions.
Here are five ways to show initiative and proactiveness:
- Seek Opportunities: Look for gaps or areas where you can add value, even if it’s outside your normal duties.
- Anticipate Needs: Think ahead. What might be a problem next week or next month? How can you prepare for it now?
- Suggest Improvements: If you see a way to make a process better or more efficient, speak up. Share your ideas with your team or manager.
- Volunteer for New Projects: Step outside your comfort zone. New projects offer chances to learn and show your capabilities.
- Take Ownership of Solutions: When you identify a problem, don’t just point it out. Think about possible solutions and offer to help implement them.
By regularly practicing these behaviors, you enhance your initiative and proactiveness, contributing even more effectively to our team.
You can find these articles and other resources on Total Career Management Services on UCOR Hub. You can contact one of the career counselors by emailing totalcareer@orcc.doe.gov.