C118 — Taking Initiative

Module One: Getting Started
• Icebreaker
• Housekeeping Items
• The Parking Lot
• Workshop Objectives

Module Two: What is Initiative?
• Definition
• Benefits, Personal and Professional
• Why People Do Not Take Initiative
• Make Initiative a Priority
• Case Study
• Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: Know Clients
• Be Open Minded
• Be Adaptable
• Making Decisions
• Take Responsibility
• Case Study
• Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Recognize When You Can Step In
• Know Your Strengths and Skills
• Go the Extra Mile
• Listen Carefully
• Fill in the Gaps
• Case Study
• Module Four: Review Questions

Module Five: Recognize When You Can Go Outside the Normal
• Consider Culture and Values Before Acting
• Is It in the Scope of Your Authority?
• Communicate Ideas
• Act on Solutions
• Case Study
• Module Five: Review Questions

Module Six: Weighing the Consequences
• Ask Questions
• Risk, Impact, or Cost Analysis
• Is Authorization Necessary?
• When Risks Are Too High
• Case Study
• Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Good or Bad
• The Good
• The Bad
• Develop Judgment
• Avoid Acting on Emotion
• Case Study
• Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Confidence
• Are You Confident?
• Build Confidence
• Positive Thinking
• Visualization
• Case Study
• Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: Find Opportunities
• Internal Opportunities
• External Opportunities
• Apply Core Competencies
• What Problems Exist, and Will They Grow?
• Case Study
• Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: Be Persistent
• Handle Setbacks
• Manage Change
• Modify Ideas When Necessary
• Move Forward
• Case Study
• Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Balance Initiative and Restraint
• Consider the Work Involved in an Idea
• Develop Emotional Intelligence
• Know the Buy-in of Stakeholders
• Do Not Push All Ideas Forward
• Case Study
• Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up
• Words from the Wise
• Review of Parking Lot
• Lessons Learned
• Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations