By Ntshepeng Seema, Human Resources Administrator: SPM
It’s easy to go through the motions at work: show up, do your job, follow instructions, and clock out. There’s nothing wrong with that because it keeps things running. But if you want to grow, be noticed, and lead in your career, the difference often comes down to one thing: initiative.
Initiative shows drive, leadership, and ownership, not only of your own tasks but of the bigger picture. Managers and HR professionals value it because people who take initiative are often the same ones who spark progress, shape culture, and leave a lasting mark.
Here are seven practical ways to show more initiative in your career, no matter your title or level.
- Communicate Your Career Goals
Your manager cannot read your mind. If you want to grow, whether that is into leadership, another department, or a new skill set, say so. The clearer you are about your direction, the easier it is for others to support you.
💡 When you share your goals, you open the door for others to help you reach them.
- Choose Positive Mindset
Positivity is not about ignoring problems; it is about approaching them with the energy to move forward. When things get tough, positive thinkers are the ones who help shift the mood, keep momentum, and spark solutions.
💡 Your mindset can either fuel you or hold you back.
- Be a Problem-Solver
Every workplace has challenges. The people who stand out highlight the issues and bring options and ideas to the table. Even small fixes matter because they show you are thinking about solutions.
💡 The more problems you solve, the more valuable you become.
- Step Into Cross-Department Work
Taking initiative means looking beyond your own role. Lend a hand to other teams, join cross-functional projects, or share knowledge across departments. It shows you care about the whole business, not only your part of it.
💡 Great employees don’t just stay in their lane; they help clear the whole highway.
- Invest in Your Growth
Enrol in a course, get certified, find a mentor, or commit to learning regularly. When you take your own growth seriously, others notice, and they are more likely to invest in you, too.
💡 People invest in people who are already investing in themselves.
- Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
Stay informed about the latest developments in your field. Share trends, tools, or fresh ideas with your team. Being the person who brings tomorrow’s thinking into today’s conversations is a powerful way to lead without the title.
💡 Future leaders are the ones who bring new ideas to the table.
- Contribute to Company Culture
Culture is built in small, everyday actions, not in posters or slogans. From welcoming new hires to showing up with a good attitude, to joining company initiatives, these moments shape the workplace more than you think.
💡 Culture grows when people genuinely care.
Leadership is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. Some of the most impactful leaders lead with subtle strength, supporting, encouraging, and uplifting others along the way. Those are the people who get noticed.
Taking initiative is about consistency, intention, and care—care for your own growth, your team, and the success of the company. The best part is that you do not need permission to start.