How to Take Initiative at Work
The people who grow fastest at work are rarely the ones who wait to be told. They see a problem, own it and move.
To take initiative at work, look for problems nobody is solving, start with something small and within your reach, bring a proposed solution rather than just the problem, keep your manager informed, follow through completely and share what you learned. Initiative is ownership in action, and it is one of the clearest signals that someone is ready for more.
In my book I wrote that real ownership is looking at a situation honestly and recognizing that if it is going to get better, it starts with you. That is what initiative looks like at work.
When I look at who is ready for a bigger role, initiative is one of the first things I notice. Who sees what needs doing and does it, without being asked?
Six ways to take initiative
- Spot the gap. What is nobody solving?
- Start small. Something within your reach.
- Bring a solution. Not just the problem.
- Keep your manager in the loop. No surprises.
- Finish it. Follow-through builds trust.
- Share what you learned. Help the team improve.
Spot the gap
Pay attention to the things people complain about but nobody fixes: a confusing process, a recurring customer issue, a new hire who keeps getting lost. Those are opportunities.
Start small and bring a solution
You do not need to overhaul the company. Pick something you can actually improve, then bring your manager a proposed solution, not just the problem. I noticed this, here is what I would suggest, can I take it on?
Keep people informed
Initiative works best without surprises. Share what you are doing and why, especially if it touches other people’s work. It builds trust and keeps good intentions from creating confusion.
Follow through completely
Starting is the easy part. Finishing is what earns trust. Potential is revealed in the follow-through. See Finish What You Start.
Ownership is the foundation of my signature keynote, You Are Capable of More. For the bigger picture, read Human Potential: A Complete Guide, and see How to Step Into a Bigger Role.
Initiative is ownership in action. Spot the problems nobody is solving, start small, bring a solution, keep your manager informed, follow through completely and share what you learned.
Frequently asked questions
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Can taking initiative backfire?
What are examples of taking initiative?
You Are Capable of More
A No-Excuses Guide to Becoming Your Best Self. The bestselling book behind Chris’s keynotes and the 2026 Paris Book Festival winner in the How-To category. Many teams hand a copy to every seller at their kickoff.
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