Being proactive is our sixteenth out of seventeen characteristics of a good leader.
Supervisors are good at reacting to problems; leaders are excellent at solving problems — before they become problems. Leaders are being proactive. Doing something before it NEEDS to be done. Being ahead of the curve. Having the initiative to seek an answer for a problem before it comes to the attention of their boss. Learning a process before they need it. Networking in and outside their company to solidify relationships that will help them do their job better under all circumstances. Truly proactive people are not waiting to be told what to do. They are already in the process of doing it.
If your boss comes to you and asks if you have completed a certain task — you are behind. If your boss asks you how your people are doing on a particular project and you can’t answer her — you are behind. If your employees come to you and ask for training on a particular program or subject — you may be behind here too.
You will probably never be ahead, but you can be proactive about most things.
Being proactive means, you are looking at the requirements you have and strategically planning how to handle them.
Proactive means listening to those around you, both up and down the management chain, to hear and understand their problems so you can participate in the solutions.
Let’s take a look at the three examples just mentioned.
If your boss comes to you and asks if you have completed a certain task — you are behind.
In this case, the proactive person would have updated their boss as the tasking was in motion. Either by personal meetings or email, the boss should know the project’s status at any time.
For the boss to ask means you have not thought ahead to keep them informed.
If your boss asks you how your people are doing on a particular project and you can’t answer her — you are behind.
This time, we are not in good communication with our own employees. We have not talked or listened to them regularly. We have not been proactive by seeking their feedback on the project they are working on, so we are unaware. When our boss asks us how they are doing, we should be able to tell them instantly. Or, like the example before, we might have briefed the boss prior with an “FYI update.”
If your employees come to you and ask for training on a particular program or subject — you may be behind.
This has everything to do with taking care of your people. We should look ahead before giving them a project to ensure they have the skills and the training required.
Being proactive with training is one of the best things we could do for our people and the company. If there is training available, we should send our folks if possible.
So, being proactive involves actually doing something to ameliorate a situation before it becomes a problem. This isn’t something that comes with the title of Supervisor the day you become one.
You learn and develop this as you grow in the management field. However, if you do not naturally tend to be proactive, this will be one of the most challenging characteristics to wrestle to the ground.
It’s difficult to instill this habit because frequently, becoming a NEW supervisor has a new, higher level of activity. You are just trying to keep up; never mind, look ahead. However, as you mature, the tasks will become more manageable, and you will be able and must start to focus ahead. Yes, it seems like this might be a bridge too far, but it’s just a matter of time — and you can do it.
And the sooner, the better for everyone.