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Performance
review examples initiative
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 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.
Useful
materials related to performance review examples initiative
•
http://performanceappraisal123.com/11-methods-for-performance-review
•
http://performanceappraisal123.com/300-free-phrases-for-performance-review
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