My last post dealt with three traits of leadership: Initiative, Integrity and Instruction.  The intent for this post is to deal with the trait of taking the initiative.  In fact, perhaps the easiest way to show leadership is by taking the initiative.  Theodore Roosevelt (one of my favorite leaders) said: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”  Initiative is overcoming inertia – seeing something that needs to be changed and taking strides to change it, it is action in the absence of guidance.

In the Marine Corps we give much credence to the idea of commanders’ intent.  The idea behind commanders’ intent is that each subordinate is free to operate within the framework of the mission given to him by the commander.  In this manner, the subordinate has the ability to make his or her own decision based upon the intent established by the commander; there is not any needless micro-managing.  For those of us who work as subordinates, we can offer leadership by taking the initiative within the framework of the vision or intent of our organization.

Nearly every organization has a mission statement or guiding principles by which they operate.  Imagine the initiative which can be show by taking those principles to heart and applying them to everyday, seemingly unimportant things.  For example – the mission of Southwest Airlines is “dedication to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit. We are committed to provide our employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth.”  Think of a Southwest steward or stewardess; what immediately comes to mind for me is a person who makes business flying fun.  I enjoy watching them brief passengers and listen to them welcome folks onto the aircraft.  Those stewards and stewardesses are taking initiative within the framework of the company’s mission to provide the highest quality of customer service.

The reason Southwest Airlines started was because a team of people took the initiative to make business flying fun and cheap; folks recognized a need and showed the leadership to meet it.  And so, no matter where we work – whether it be in a cubicle or a kitchen – when we see something that needs to be changed, take the initiative and change it, we are taking the first and most vital step of a leader.  Seeing a need, we take the first step to meet it.