Personal initiative sparks innovation

Abstract

Although innovation is often seen as a technological breakthrough and/or a startling new idea, it is also very much the act of an individual who has triumphed over the status quo. This triumph requires personal initiative. There are four common behaviors associated with successfully taking initiative: Asking questions in order to identify problems and opportunities: teaching oneself new skills; taking action; and aligning strong personal beliefs with the organization's values and goals. At the same time, there are actions that leaders can take to encourage such personal initiative, including focusing more on the act of taking initiative than on the possible outcome.