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Initiative

DEFINITION 

Voluntarily taking the first steps to identify and address existing and potential obstacles, issues, and opportunities.

Proficiency Levels

(Use these to find learning content on this page that is best suited for you. See the ECA and WFD Continuum for more.)

You volunteer to undertake activities within your capability. You ask questions and gather information prior to taking on new tasks. You seek help when challenged to try something new.

You volunteer to undertake tasks that stretch your capability. You identify who can provide support and you ask for their input. You identify problems and act to prevent or solve them.

You seek out challenges that require managing risk. You determine resources, team support, and technical needs necessary for success. You keep responding to the challenge despite obstacles and setbacks.

You anticipate future challenges and related opportunities. You plan potential responses considering resources, people, processes, and technology. You lead a timely response, seek advice, and sustain progress through unforeseen challenges.

You integrate future challenges and opportunities, planning directly for significant outcomes and contingency plans. You identify areas of high risk. You procure organizational resources and leverage leaders, core organizational processes, and technologies.

Learning Content

Access our library of on-demand content for this competency here!

Infographics provide a visual representation of information related to their topic of learning. They are often used in support of training activities, such as formal courses or independent studies, but may also be useful for employees as stand-alone resources.

 

Name

Awareness / Basic

Intermediate

Advanced / Expert

The Goal Model of Taking Initiative

 

 

Four Ways to Take Initiative

   

Job Aides provide tailored task guidance and support, at the moment of need, as part of work. Examples include handouts, instructional guides, "cheat sheets," or other performance support materials.

 

Name

Awareness / Basic

Intermediate

Advanced / Expert

Resolving Uncertainty to Lead Successful Initiatives

 

 

These 5 – 10 minute podcasts include facilitated discussions on select competency-related topics. They contain tips and techniques listeners can learn and quickly apply on-the-job.

 

Name

Awareness / Basic

Intermediate

Advanced / Expert

How to Increase Your Influence through Initiative

 

 

How Taking Initiative Can Change Your Career

 

 

How to be Proactive at Work 

 

 

How to Spot an Initiative Opportunity

 

 

Steps for Contingency Planning

 

 

You can participate in recorded interactive webinars and complete learning activities in real-time through the offerings below. To complete any webinar, you will need to access and complete all listed learning materials listed for each.


Note: Users will need to disconnect from NMCI or ONE-Net to view YouTube videos.

Name

Awareness / Basic

Intermediate

Advanced / Expert

Intern Forum: Initiative

Slides: For live sessions

Workbook: For both
live and recorded sessions

   

Take the Lead Through Initiative

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both
live and recorded sessions

   

Making Initiative Contagious

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both
live and recorded sessions

   

Succeeding Through
Setbacks

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Open Through YouTube
(URL: youtu.be/yCI21wemshM)
Option 2 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both
live and recorded sessions

 

 

Taking Initiative

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Open Through YouTube
(URL: youtu.be/UCHLyagTb4s)
Option 2 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both
live and recorded sessions

 

 

What Does Initiative Look Like?

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Open Through YouTube
(URL: youtu.be/M17XnO_zU70)
Option 2 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both
live and recorded
sessions

 

 

Leading Strategic Initiatives

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Open Through YouTube
(URL: youtu.be/hL_jBsHmVts)
Option 2 - Download file directly

Workbook: For recorded sessions

 

 

Developing Team Initiative

On-demand recording:
Option 1 - Download file directly

Workbook: For both live and recorded sessions

   
Looking for something else? Check out the Career Compass Catalog.
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