|
 |
Written for the Employmentpaper.com.
Initiative - The Key to Becoming a Star Employee
By: Joyce Bender
After interviewing several Pittsburgh executives to determine the
key traits they seek in potential hires and evaluate during the
review/promotion process, the critical success factor most often
mentioned was initiative.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines initiative as "the power,
ability, or instinct to begin or to follow through energetically with
a plan or task; enterprise and determination". Many employers look
for initiative as a "must have" trait for every position they are
attempting to staff. In addition, it is critical to demonstrate
initiative to be promoted in an organization. A fantastic book that
must be read by everyone in the workplace, "How to Be a Star at Work",
written by Carnegie Mellon University professor and national
consultant Robert E. Kelley, discusses "nine breakthrough strategies"
you need to succeed in the workplace. Dr. Kelley's book is being
touted by corporations across the United States as a "landmark"
business book.
When discussing the nine breakthrough strategies necessary to
succeed in the workplace, Dr. Kelley says "demonstrating initiative
proved to be the most powerful work skills tool for bridging the chasm
between the intelligent, average worker and the super productive, star
worker. If you are starting out in a new workplace, you will quickly
be judged on whether you go beyond your specific responsibilities and
take initiative."
Mary Lee Palocsik, Senior Human Resources Representative from Bayer
Corporation says, "In a fast-paced environment like Bayer Corporation,
you would not survive without initiative. Initiative is a key trait
we look for from the college-level through the experienced-level."
Joan Stein, CEO of Accessibility Development Associates says,
"initiative is absolutely important in hiring decisions. Initiative
shows energy and commitment. I want people with energy."
Many employers feel that this critical success factor is a rare
jewel in today's marketplace. Several employers believe today's
employees do not realize how valuable initiative is in being hired or
promoted.
Let's look at some examples of initiative for the current employee
seeking a promotion, or the student seeking his/her first job.
Do Your Current Job Well
Dr. Kelley in his book, "How to Be a Star at Work", talked about
employees demonstrating initiative, and highlighted as one example,
performing well in your current position.
Too many employees today, have the "9 to 5" mentality and believe
that is all that they "owe" to their employer. Clearly, those
employees do not possess initiative or as Ms. Stein, the CEO of ADA
stated, energy. Employers today are seeking individuals who want to
do their job to the very best of their ability every day. This may
mean working some overtime, including evenings, or weekends. For
example, many Internet start-ups in Pittsburgh are offering terrific
opportunities with lucrative stock options. These opportunities are
never "9 to 5" environments. As one of Pittsburgh's CEO's stated,
"Initiative is the number one trait we are seeking in addition to
technical skills." Demonstrating initiative means doing your current
job right the first time.
Going the next step.
Many Pittsburgh managers have a frustration level regarding the
lack of initiative in employees, and cited "going the next step" as an
example. It is critically important to do the job well. The key to
success is going the next step. For example, if a new employee does
not understand a software tool or application, will that employee read
the training manual or refer to the on-line help facility, and attempt
to solve this problem on their own, or will that employee constantly
stop and ask for help to get to the next step? Additionally, if an
employee is asked to conduct a presentation and feels weak in the
speaking skills area, will he/she "freeze" when asked to do this
presentation, or reference public speaking materials and go home and
practice? To employers, initiative is "going the next step" without
being told to do so.
Making a Difference
"What have you done in the past to demonstrate initiative by adding
value to the organization," said Bill Grant, Vice-President of
Employee Relations for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, "is what we
want in an employee." Mr. Grant said, "At Highmark Blue Cross Blue
Shield, we are clearly looking for people who can and have made a
difference. If we believe an individual does not demonstrate this
initiative, we believe they will not add value to our
organization."
Employers will look at a college student's resume and ask, "what
have you done to add value during your academic experience?" In
addition, employers will ask employees seeking to make a job change,
what they did to add value to the company or division in which they
worked? Adding value or demonstrating initiative can be exemplified
by helping achieve company goals, helping release a new product, or
helping the company achieve its goal for United Way. Initiative
demonstrates commitment.
Continuing Education
There is never a time to stop learning. Education can and should
be a lifetime commitment. Initiative can obviously be achieved
through completion of a four-year or graduate degree. In addition, an
individual can continue his/her education by taking community college
classes, classes via the Internet, or self-education through reading.
American businessman E. A. Filene said, "When a man's education is
finished, he is finished." When individuals at work demonstrate
initiative, they will continue reading about the industry they are in
for the rest of their life. Companies believe that employees will be
at least "one step ahead of the pack" if they take the initiative to
read about their related discipline such as, information technology,
engineering, or human resources, as well as their company's industry
area.
What causes one employee in the business world to read the Wall
Street Journal, The Pittsburgh Business Times, Forbes or any business
magazine on a regular basis, and another employee to have zero
interest in their area of expertise once they are hired? - initiative.
For example, if you are reading this article, you are demonstrating
initiative. You either are seeking a position, possibly evaluating a
new position or want to improve your performance at work. If you want
to know about employment issues and chose to read this column in
EMPLOYMENTPAPER.com - you have initiative.
Volunteerism
An area frequently mentioned by employers when evaluating an
employee for "initiative" is volunteerism. Many employers ask
questions to a student about activities they were involved in while in
school, such as sports, drama, or band to see if the student possesses
that extra "energy". After an individual enters the workplace,
countless opportunities become available to participate in external
events that "give back" to the community, such as the United Way,
Junior Achievement, The Epilepsy Foundation of Western PA, United
Cerebral Palsy, etc. Employers seek employees who demonstrate
initiative evidenced by the willingness to participate in external
events. Involvement in activities or in charitable events while in
school or in the workplace is one way to demonstrate initiative.
Demonstrating initiative is the key to not only obtaining the first
job - it is the key to success in the workplace. Initiative is the
key to becoming a star performer.
|