300 Questionnaire Items Measuring Initiative
Definition: Initiative is the ability to take appropriate actions and work proactively, often independently, and motivated by a desire to perform above expectations without being prompted by others to do so. Someone with initiative is a self-starter who independently takes advantage of opportunities and is motivated with a tenacious work ethic to be impactful.
Initiative in the workplace is a key driver for success and involves several components that enable individuals to act proactively and make significant contributions. Here are some examples of initiative at work:
- Self-Starter Doing work without being told to do so. Does not wait to be told to do something.
- Proactive Works quickly to prevent problems from occurring.
- Forward-Thinking Anticipates needs and prepares for unexpected events.
- Motivated Takes immediate action to implement changes or solve problems.
- Opportunistic Seizes and capitalizes on opportunities when they become available.
- Works Independently Is able to work on their own without close supervision.
- Above Expectations Works above expected performance levels. Volunteers for assignments and may put in extra hours.
- Rises to the Occasion Acts with urgency when time is limited. Takes charge in a crisis.
A person with initiative is one who is proactive and willing/eager to take on responsibilities contribute to the success and continuous improvement of the department/organization.
360-Degree Feedback Questionnaires Measuring Initiative:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)
360-Degree Feedback Questionnaire Items
The Initiative competency in a 360-Degree Feedback assessment includes items measuring the ability to do work without being told to do so, to be proactive in addressing problems, to seize opportunities when they arise, to work independently and above expectations.
Self-Starter
- Takes the initiative to change the direction or course of events.
- Able to initiate work on projects independently without direct supervision.
- Initiates the development of new products.
- Is a self-starter. Does not wait to be told to do something.
- Looks to start work on new projects without waiting for direction from the manager.
- Independently seeks out new learning opportunities to improve their skills.
- When working on a problem in a team, they are often the first to suggest possible solutions.
- Analyzes the needs of the situation and acts before being told to do so.
- Inclined to initiate action rather than react.
Proactive
- Is proactive and gets things done.
- Takes action to establish clear and concise deadlines for tasks to be completed.
- Begins immediate action on projects.
- Addresses small problems before they become big ones.
- Acts quickly when a small problem arises to keep it from becoming a major issue.
- Acts quickly to address any issues or problems.
- Actively works on resolving the issue instead of procrastinating or hoping it will resolve itself.
- Is proactive when preparing for potential problems or critical events.
Opportunistic
- Seeks and utilizes opportunities for continuous learning and self-development.
- Takes advantage of opportunities when they become available.
- Capitalizes on opportunities as they become available.
- Seizes upon chances to improve the department's prospects.
- Acts quickly when an opportunity becomes available.
- Looks for opportunities to move projects forward.
- Seizes upon opportunities available.
Working Independently
- Takes action without being asked.
- Does things without being told.
- Confronts problems immediately without supervisor instructions.
- Acts independently to solve pressing needs.
- Completes tasks without having to be told to do so.
- Does the right thing without being told.
- Acts on own initiative to improve the department outcomes.
Forward-Thinking
- Prepares for unexpected contingencies.
- Anticipates problems and initiates plans to address them.
- Anticipates what needs to be done and makes necessary preparations.
Motivated
- Immediately works to complete goals well before their deadline.
- Updates the documentation as soon as the situation changes.
- Takes action to implement new changes in the policies and procedures.
- Gladly seeks additional responsibilities.
- Creates solutions to problems as soon as an incident occurs.
- Initiates new projects for the department.
- Cleans the workspace without being told.
Impactful
- Takes decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve.
- Initiates projects that have an impact on the department.
- Initiates actions that impact the department/company.
- Encourages others on the team to suggest process improvements.
- Helps the department take the initiative to create new solutions.
Above Expectations
- Goes above and beyond the stated goals.
- Expands the offerings of the department by working evenings and weekends.
- Is an inspiration for others to perform above expectations.
- Guides strategic initiatives to advance the department/organization.
- Takes on additional tasks without being asked or told to do so.
- Volunteers time and effort toward the completion of important goals.
- Inspires others to perform above expectations.
- Takes on extra projects after required work is completed.
- Aims to achieve more than what is expected or required.
Persistent or Tenacious
- Takes the initiative to complete tasks ahead of schedule.
- Initiates draft reports for consideration.
- Will continue to work on a problem even in the face of obstacles.
- Bends rules when necessary to accomplish tasks.
- Bends rules when necessary to achieve goals.
Rises to the Occasion
- Takes corrective action to address performance deficiencies/issues.
- Takes the initiative to solve pressing issues.
- Acts with urgency when time is of the essence.
- Takes corrective action to rectify issues.
- Immediately works on solving problems.
- Takes charge when there is a crisis.
- Acts with urgency when time is limited.
Initiative in Relationships
- Coach others to foster an environment which can adapt quickly and willingly to rapid change.
- Quickly comes to the aid of those who may need help.
- Immediately informs the supervisor of any critical incidents.
- Engages with new customers immediately.
- Informs the manager of any important changes in the equipment operation.
- Initiates draft documents for the director.
- Immediately informs the HR Department of any personnel complaints or issues.
- Builds strong interpersonal relationships upon first meeting.
- Initiates important conversation topics at meetings.
Employee Opinion Survey Items
Individuals with high Initiative are catalysts for positive change in the organization, driving a business forward through their actions and mindset. Being a proactive and opportunistic self-starter enables you to achieve higher levels of performance.
None
- Employees in our department are willing to take action without waiting to be told to do so.
The Company
- The Company seeks to take advantage of opportunities
- The Company takes the initiative to lead by example
My Empowerment
- I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things
- I am allowed to take initiative to assess my skills and seek appropriate training
Empowering Others
- Employee initiatives to develop the Company are encouraged
My Supervisor
- My Supervisor capitalizes on opportunities to grow the business
- My supervisor encourages initiative.
- My Supervisor encourages me to take initiative in my job
- My manager encourages initiative.
Leadership
- Leadership at the Company encourages initiative and risk taking
- Senior Management at Company encourages initiative.
My Department
- My Department is able to develop unique solutions to problems and issues
Self-Assessment Items
Self-Starter
- You take the initiative to change the direction or course of events.
- You independently seek out new learning opportunities to improve your skills.
- I initiate the development of new products.
- When working on a problem in a team, I often am the first to suggest possible solutions.
- You are a self-starter. You do not wait to be told to do something.
- I analyze the needs of the situation and act before being told to do so.
- I am able to initiate work on projects independently without direct supervision.
- I look to start work on new projects without waiting for direction from the manager.
- You are inclined to initiate action rather than react.
Proactive
- I act quickly when a small problem arises to keep it from becoming a major issue.
- You act quickly to address any issues or problems.
- I address small problems before they become big ones.
- You are proactive when preparing for potential problems or critical events.
- I am proactive and get things done.
- I begin immediate action on projects.
- You actively work on resolving the issue instead of procrastinating or hoping it will resolve itself.
- You take action to establish clear and concise deadlines for tasks to be completed.
Opportunistic
- You seek and utilize opportunities for continuous learning and self-development.
- I take advantage of opportunities when they become available.
- I look for opportunities to move projects forward.
- You seize upon opportunities available.
- I capitalize on opportunities as they become available.
- You act quickly when an opportunity becomes available.
- I seize upon chances to improve the department's prospects.
Working Independently
- You take action without being asked.
- You do the right thing without being told.
- I act independently to solve pressing needs.
- I do things without being told.
- You act on own initiative to improve the department outcomes.
- You complete tasks without having to be told to do so.
- You confront problems immediately without supervisor instructions.
Forward-Thinking
- You prepare for unexpected contingencies.
- I anticipate problems and initiate plans to address them.
- You anticipate what needs to be done and makes necessary preparations.
Motivated
- You immediately work to complete goals well before your deadline.
- I gladly seek additional responsibilities.
- I clean the workspace without being told.
- I take action to implement new changes in the policies and procedures.
- I create solutions to problems as soon as an incident occurs.
- I update the documentation as soon as the situation changes.
- You initiate new projects for the department.
Impactful
- You take decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve.
- You help the department take the initiative to create new solutions.
- I initiate projects that have an impact on the department.
- You initiate actions that impact the department/company.
- I encourage others on the team to suggest process improvements.
Above Expectations
- You go above and beyond the stated goals.
- I inspire others to perform above expectations.
- I take on additional tasks without being asked or told to do so.
- I expand the offerings of the department by working evenings and weekends.
- You are an inspiration for others to perform above expectations.
- You volunteer your time and effort toward the completion of important goals.
- You guide strategic initiatives to advance the department/organization.
- You take on extra projects after required work is completed.
- You aim to achieve more than what is expected or required.
Persistent or Tenacious
- You take the initiative to complete tasks ahead of schedule.
- I initiate draft reports for consideration.
- I will continue to work on a problem even in the face of obstacles.
- You bend rules when necessary to achieve goals.
- You bend rules when necessary to accomplish tasks.
Rises to the Occasion
- You take corrective action to address performance deficiencies/issues.
- I act with urgency when time is of the essence.
- I immediately work on solving problems.
- I take charge when there is a crisis.
- You act with urgency when time is limited.
- I take corrective action to rectify issues.
- I take the initiative to solve pressing issues.
Initiative in Relationships
- You coach others to foster an environment which can adapt quickly and willingly to rapid change.
- You quickly come to the aid of those who may need help.
- You engage with new customers immediately.
- You immediately inform the supervisor of any critical incidents.
- You immediately inform the HR Department of any personnel complaints or issues.
- I inform the manager of any important changes in the equipment operation.
- You initiate draft documents for the director.
- I initiate important conversation topics at meetings.
- I build strong interpersonal relationships upon first meeting.
Job Application Items
Past
- Tell me about a time when you went beyond the call of duty.
- What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
- Have you ever accomplished something difficult?
- What are your major accomplishments? Your failures? Your disappointments?
- What was the most/least challenging part of the job?
- What are some examples of important recommendations or decisions you've made recently?
- What do you consider to be your most important accomplishment and why?
- Do you have initiative?
- Have you ever accomplished something you did not think you could?
- What have been your greatest disappointments?
- How have you shown initiative?
- What difficult problems have you worked through?
- Tell me what initiatives have you undertaken recently?
- What initiatives have you undertake recently?
- What are the five biggest accomplishments of your life?
- What is your most significant accomplishment?
- What difficult challenges have you solved?
- What was your most significant accomplishment in your last position?
- Do you enjoy working on difficult projects?
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
- What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?
- What was your greatest accomplishment?
- What is your proudest accomplishment?
- What challenging accomplishments have you had?
- What have been the most memorable accomplishments of your career?
- What was your greatest disappointment?
- What were your most memorable accomplishments with your last employer?
- Tell me about accomplishments of which you are the most proud.
- What is the most important accomplishment in your life?
- What have been your greatest accomplishments?
- What challenging experiences have you had?
- What is the most stimulating thing you are looking for in a job?
- What have been your biggest accomplishments?
- What are some of your recent accomplishments in your current job?
- Do you have accomplishments you are proud of?
- How have you shown willingness to work?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest disappointment?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What was the job's biggest challenge?
- What is the most difficult task you have undertaken?
Future
- Describe how you can take risks to accomplish tasks.
- What kinds of risks do you face when implementing a new initiative?
- What risks have you undertaken recently?
- Are you willing to take risks?
- What risks did you take at your previous job?
- Describe a significant risk you took to accomplish a task.
Motivations
- Describe two things that motivate you at work?
- Were there any special difficulties you overcame in achieving these accomplishments?
- Do you enjoy challenges at work? If so, what kinds of challenges have you recently faced.
- Have you received any recognition for significant accomplishments at work?
- What are your motivations?
- Are you a self starter?
- How important are promotions and advancement to you?
- Describe when you felt motivated to do your very best work and did.
- Do you work to achieve your objectives? If so, describe how hard.
- What has your last employer done that motivated you to work harder?
- Would you describe yourself as motivated more by your goals or by money?
- Are you a competitive person?
- What makes you put forth your greatest effort?
- Is recognition important to you?
- What motivates you to put forth your best effort?
- What motivates you in a job and in your personal life?
- What challenges are you looking for in a job?
- How important is recognition to you?
- Do you feel motivated to work harder?
- What motivates you?
- What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?
- What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
- When do you put forth your greatest effort?
- What motivates you in accomplishing difficult tasks?
- Do you feel motivated in your current job?
- Does competition increase your desire to succeed?
- What kinds of responsibilities are important to you in your work?
- How important is challenge to you?
- What motivates you to be successful in your job?
- What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work?
- What do you get out of completing difficult tasks?
- How important is responsibility to you?
Sense of Self
- What does 'success' mean to you?
- To what do you attribute your success?
- Would you rate yourself as an overachiever?
- Do you generally think of yourself as a risk-taker or someone who plays it safe?
- Do you feel you have been successful in your job?
- What is your definition of success.
- Describe situations in which you are most successful.
- How would you describe your standards of performance?
- How have your successes benefited your previous employer?
- How do you define 'success?'
- Describe what success means to you.
- Why are you better than your co-workers?
- How do you determine if you are successful?
- Are you successful in completing projects at work?
- What do you think has contributed most to your success so far?
- Tell me about your recent successes.
- Would you define yourself as a self-starter?
- How would you evaluate success?
- Why are you successful?
- What does 'failure' mean to you?
- What are some of the reasons for your success?
- What projects have you recently completed successfully?
Weaknesses
- What weaknesses have you overcome when accomplishing difficult tasks?
- How could you have improved your progress?
- Do you achieve all of the goals you set? If not, why not?