In the endless drive for greater productivity, every manager wants employees to become more proactive. More proactivity equals better productivity. And better productivity usually means improved financial performance, happier shareholders, and less sleepless nights for leaders.
What exactly does it mean to be a proactive employee?
We answer that question in two ways: first, we examine who and what a proactive employee is. Then we look at what a proactive employee is not. This is the difference between 'self-directed' and 'other-directed.' The self-directed employee takes responsibility for her own decisions and actions. The other-directed employee adopts an 'I have to' mentality, and
responds only to direction . . .
Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selflessness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure.
