Initiative is simply the willingness and ability on the part of an
employe to do things that are not simply routine, to do things he is
not told to do, to look for opportunities to help the boss or to
improve the business wherever possible.
The employe who has no initiative in his make up is going around a
circle and when you go around a circle you don't go forward. There is
no one thing outside of honesty, ability and hard work that will help
the employe to go forward like initiative.
In every great business there are many opportunities for the employe to
do things he is not told to do and when an employe gets the initiative
habit he is not long in attracting the attention of the boss.
Look over the work you are doing, study the matter carefully, figure
out some plan whereby the value of the work you are doing will be
increased.
Find a chance to lessen the expense in your department.
Put into practice some idea that will increase the receipts.
Acquaint yourself with the operations of other employes in similar
work. Wherever you find a plan better than yours, take advantage of it.
Keep your eyes wide open and you will find many opportunities for doing
things you are not told to do.
Every employe should carry out to the letter the directions given him
by the boss and in addition to this he should have initiative, which is
doing things the boss did not tell him.
It is the plus or initiative in a man's make-up that helps him to the
front.