Rewarded Are Those Who Take Initiative

 Rewarded Are Those Who Take Initiative

"Rewarded are those who take initiative" is a statement that is close to my heart, and I often use it in my leadership programs, substantiating it with relevant examples from the business world and the workplace.

However, one day during a discussion of this statement, a participant raised his hand and said, "This doesn't happen in reality in the workplace," and a few others acknowledged his point. He shared an initiative he had taken, how he was not recognised for it, and his resulting feelings.

In that situation, it was not the time to prove the statement right and him wrong; it was a time to empathise with him. When I agreed with his experience, he felt validated. Although I could sense a sense of victory in his expression, I also noticed his underlying frustration. There are many people like this participant, and some of you reading this might share the same feeling.

Now, let's set aside our disappointments and frustration for a while and re-examine the statement: "Rewarded are those who take initiative."

Does the reward always come from an external source, like recognition, appreciation, cash, medals, or certificates? It may be given or not, but that is ultimately out of our control.

Let us explore how the reward comes from an internal source.

The person who takes initiative ideates, looks for solutions rather than brooding over problems, innovates, creates, takes ownership, and is willing to go the extra mile. These are the people who make a difference in their organisation and in their own lives by breaking the mundane nature of their work.

 

Even if a person is not rewarded from the outside, they can still reward themselves internally by developing the finest qualities, as discussed above. These qualities will help them strengthen their career, think progressively, and create a sense of entrepreneurship—a dream for many.

Now, let us compare a piece of paper from the external world with the internal sense of satisfaction from taking initiative. We know which is more rewarding.

The more we work for external recognition and rewards, the more we become slaves to extrinsic motivation. The more we work for our own sense of satisfaction, the more we are liberated from material things like medals and printed certificates.

 

Remember:

Rewarded are those who take initiative.

M.L. Narendra Kumar