[April 10, 2014] As my readers know, I spend a significant amount of my time in airports and on planes traveling. There are plenty of times where I am witness to airport workers and flight attendants not serving their customers. This happens all too frequently.
Too often, I have watched leaders (and managers) stand by and allow a situation unfold when they should have intervened. Likewise, I’ve seen many leaders sit and do nothing when they should have acted according to their training and previously provided guidance.
A common catchphrase in the military is “move out, don’t wait to be told.” In other organizations we hear “get ‘er done!”
This means that workers and leaders should not wait for instructions to do something that clearly must be done. It means having the initiative (motivation) and enough smarts to take the appropriate action. The concept of initiative also applies to social relationships. Interestingly, studies have found that those who are willing to step up and do the right thing are much happier and healthier people.
Whether it’s doing your job without being told or simply helping with a task that must be done, leaders take the initiative. By doing so it shows that they have the right values and attitude, shows that they are team players, and that they are motivated. It says that nothing is beneath them and that they are willing to get those necessary and often dirty tasks accomplished. These are the things that employers look for in evaluating a person for a job or for promotion.
I also see a developing trend of more and more people not displaying initiative. Furthermore, I don’t see leaders holding them accountable. Such inaction is a bit disconcerting to me as a senior leader.
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