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Initiative:
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Initiative
is simply seeing what has to be done and doing it without having to be told.
As a Marine NCO you must develop initiative, not only in yourself,
but also in your subordinates. Your
Marines will develop trust and respect when you take prompt action in
meeting a new situation. To
develop initiative in subordinates, you should assign tasks according to the
subordinate's ability and experience. But
once a task is assigned, don't tell the subordinate how to do it, unless he
asks for suggestions. By
allowing the subordinate to do the job, it not only develops initiative but
also frees you to do other tasks. Closely
related to initiative is resourcefulness.
The successful NCO must know the materials available and how they can
best be used to accomplish the mission.
Resourcefulness sometimes means using materials to deal with a
situation even when these materials and methods are not normally used.
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Another
side of initiative is the ability to anticipate.
Simply stated, this is the ability to foresee situations before they
arise. This prior knowledge gives you a chance to plan for the event
and be prepared to deal with the situation.
It is easier to prevent a fire than to put one out.
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Initiative,
with resourcefulness and anticipation, gives you an advantage.
When you combine initiative with good judgment and experience, you
have a strong leadership plus. The
key to initiative is to recognize the task and accomplish it, using the
resources at hand. To develop
initiative you must practice the following:
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Develop
and maintain a state of mental and physical alertness.
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Look for
tasks to be done and do them without being told.
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Practice
thinking and planning ahead.
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Anticipate
situations before they arise and have a plan already developed.
EXAMPLE:
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A leader
sees a unit recreation room that is in disarray and immediately directs those in
the area to sweep, swab, or otherwise square the situation away.
REFERENCE: Marine Corps Values and Leadership User's Guide for Discussion
Leader
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