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.
- Independently seeks out new learning opportunities to improve their skills.
- Looks to start work on new projects without waiting for direction from the manager.
- Analyzes the needs of the situation and acts before being told to do so.
- When working on a problem in a team, they are often the first to suggest possible solutions.
- Inclined to initiate action rather than react.
Proactive
- 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.
- Is proactive when preparing for potential problems or critical events.
- Acts quickly to address any issues or problems.
- Is proactive and gets things done.
- Acts quickly when a small problem arises to keep it from becoming a major issue.
- Actively works on resolving the issue instead of procrastinating or hoping it will resolve itself.
Opportunistic
- Seeks and utilizes opportunities for continuous learning and self-development.
- Takes advantage of opportunities when they become available.
- Seizes upon opportunities available.
- Seizes upon chances to improve the department's prospects.
- Acts quickly when an opportunity becomes available.
- Capitalizes on opportunities as they become available.
- Looks for opportunities to move projects forward.
Working Independently
- Takes action without being asked.
- Acts on own initiative to improve the department outcomes.
- Acts independently to solve pressing needs.
- Does the right thing without being told.
- Completes tasks without having to be told to do so.
- Confronts problems immediately without supervisor instructions.
- Does things without being told.
Forward-Thinking
- Prepares for unexpected contingencies.
- Anticipates what needs to be done and makes necessary preparations.
- Anticipates problems and initiates plans to address them.
Motivated
- Immediately works to complete goals well before their deadline.
- Creates solutions to problems as soon as an incident occurs.
- Cleans the workspace without being told.
- Updates the documentation as soon as the situation changes.
- Takes action to implement new changes in the policies and procedures.
- Gladly seeks additional responsibilities.
- Initiates new projects for the department.
Impactful
- Takes decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve.
- Initiates actions that impact the department/company.
- Encourages others on the team to suggest process improvements.
- Initiates projects that have an impact on the department.
- Helps the department take the initiative to create new solutions.
Above Expectations
- Goes above and beyond the stated goals.
- Takes on additional tasks without being asked or told to do so.
- Is an inspiration for others to perform above expectations.
- Inspires others to perform above expectations.
- Guides strategic initiatives to advance the department/organization.
- Expands the offerings of the department by working evenings and weekends.
- Volunteers time and effort toward the completion of important goals.
- Takes on extra projects after required work is completed.
- Aims to achieve more than what is expected or required.
Persistent or Tenacious
- Will continue to work on a problem even in the face of obstacles.
- Initiates draft reports for consideration.
- Takes the initiative to complete tasks ahead of schedule.
- Bends rules when necessary to achieve goals.
- Bends rules when necessary to accomplish tasks.
Rises to the Occasion
- Takes corrective action to rectify issues.
- Takes charge when there is a crisis.
- Immediately works on solving problems.
- Takes corrective action to address performance deficiencies/issues.
- Acts with urgency when time is of the essence.
- Acts with urgency when time is limited.
- Takes the initiative to solve pressing issues.
Initiative in Relationships
- Coach others to foster an environment which can adapt quickly and willingly to rapid change.
- Initiates draft documents for the director.
- Initiates important conversation topics at meetings.
- Quickly comes to the aid of those who may need help.
- Informs the manager of any important changes in the equipment operation.
- Immediately informs the supervisor of any critical incidents.
- Immediately informs the HR Department of any personnel complaints or issues.
- Engages with new customers immediately.
- Builds strong interpersonal relationships upon first meeting.
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 am allowed to take initiative to assess my skills and seek appropriate training
- I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things
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.
- 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.
- When working on a problem in a team, I often am the first to suggest possible solutions.
- I initiate the development of new products.
- You are a self-starter. You do not wait to be told to do something.
- You independently seek out new learning opportunities to improve your skills.
- I analyze the needs of the situation and act before being told to do so.
- You are inclined to initiate action rather than react.
Proactive
- I begin immediate action on projects.
- I act quickly when a small problem arises to keep it from becoming a major issue.
- You actively work on resolving the issue instead of procrastinating or hoping it will resolve itself.
- You are proactive when preparing for potential problems or critical events.
- I am proactive and get things done.
- I address small problems before they become big ones.
- You act quickly to address any issues or problems.
- 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.
- You act quickly when an opportunity becomes available.
- I look for opportunities to move projects forward.
- I seize upon chances to improve the department's prospects.
- I capitalize on opportunities as they become available.
- You seize upon opportunities available.
Working Independently
- You take action without being asked.
- You complete tasks without having to be told to do so.
- You act on own initiative to improve the department outcomes.
- I do things without being told.
- You do the right thing without being told.
- I act independently to solve pressing needs.
- You confront problems immediately without supervisor instructions.
Forward-Thinking
- You prepare for unexpected contingencies.
- You anticipate what needs to be done and makes necessary preparations.
- I anticipate problems and initiate plans to address them.
Motivated
- You immediately work to complete goals well before your deadline.
- I clean the workspace without being told.
- I update the documentation as soon as the situation changes.
- I create solutions to problems as soon as an incident occurs.
- I take action to implement new changes in the policies and procedures.
- You initiate new projects for the department.
- I gladly seek additional responsibilities.
Impactful
- You take decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve.
- I initiate projects that have an impact on the department.
- I encourage others on the team to suggest process improvements.
- You initiate actions that impact the department/company.
- You help the department take the initiative to create new solutions.
Above Expectations
- You go above and beyond the stated goals.
- I take on additional tasks without being asked or told to do so.
- I inspire others to perform above expectations.
- 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 take on extra projects after required work is completed.
- You guide strategic initiatives to advance the department/organization.
- 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
- I act with urgency when time is of the essence.
- You take corrective action to address performance deficiencies/issues.
- I immediately work on solving problems.
- I take the initiative to solve pressing issues.
- You act with urgency when time is limited.
- I take corrective action to rectify issues.
- I take charge when there is a crisis.
Initiative in Relationships
- You coach others to foster an environment which can adapt quickly and willingly to rapid change.
- You engage with new customers immediately.
- You immediately inform the supervisor of any critical incidents.
- You initiate draft documents for the director.
- I build strong interpersonal relationships upon first meeting.
- You immediately inform the HR Department of any personnel complaints or issues.
- You quickly come to the aid of those who may need help.
- I inform the manager of any important changes in the equipment operation.
- I initiate important conversation topics at meetings.
Job Application Items
Past
- What challenging accomplishments have you had?
- What difficult challenges have you solved?
- What was your most significant accomplishment in your last position?
- What were your most memorable accomplishments with your last employer?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest disappointment?
- What are your major accomplishments? Your failures? Your disappointments?
- What are some of your recent accomplishments in your current job?
- Do you enjoy working on difficult projects?
- What have been your greatest accomplishments?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What are some examples of important recommendations or decisions you've made recently?
- What was the job's biggest challenge?
- What is the most difficult task you have undertaken?
- Tell me what initiatives have you undertaken recently?
- What was your greatest accomplishment?
- What have been your greatest disappointments?
- What do you consider to be your most important accomplishment and why?
- Have you ever accomplished something difficult?
- Tell me about a time when you went beyond the call of duty.
- What is the most important accomplishment in your life?
- How have you shown initiative?
- Do you have initiative?
- What is the most stimulating thing you are looking for in a job?
- What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?
- What initiatives have you undertake recently?
- How have you shown willingness to work?
- What challenging experiences have you had?
- What was your greatest disappointment?
- What have been your biggest accomplishments?
- What are the five biggest accomplishments of your life?
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
- What is your most significant accomplishment?
- What have been the most memorable accomplishments of your career?
- What is your proudest accomplishment?
- Tell me about accomplishments of which you are the most proud.
- Have you ever accomplished something you did not think you could?
- What difficult problems have you worked through?
- What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
- Do you have accomplishments you are proud of?
- What was the most/least challenging part of the job?
Future
- Describe a significant risk you took to accomplish a task.
- Are you willing to take risks?
- What risks did you take at your previous job?
- 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?
Motivations
- What do you get out of completing difficult tasks?
- Have you received any recognition for significant accomplishments at work?
- How important are promotions and advancement to you?
- Describe two things that motivate you at work?
- What has your last employer done that motivated you to work harder?
- What motivates you to be successful in your job?
- How important is responsibility to you?
- How important is recognition to you?
- Do you work to achieve your objectives? If so, describe how hard.
- When do you put forth your greatest effort?
- How important is challenge to you?
- What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
- What challenges are you looking for in a job?
- What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work?
- Is recognition important to you?
- Were there any special difficulties you overcame in achieving these accomplishments?
- What motivates you in a job and in your personal life?
- Would you describe yourself as motivated more by your goals or by money?
- Do you feel motivated to work harder?
- What kinds of responsibilities are important to you in your work?
- What motivates you?
- Are you a competitive person?
- Are you a self starter?
- What motivates you in accomplishing difficult tasks?
- What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?
- What motivates you to put forth your best effort?
- Does competition increase your desire to succeed?
- Do you feel motivated in your current job?
- Describe when you felt motivated to do your very best work and did.
- What makes you put forth your greatest effort?
- Do you enjoy challenges at work? If so, what kinds of challenges have you recently faced.
- What are your motivations?
Sense of Self
- How would you evaluate success?
- What are some of the reasons for your success?
- Describe situations in which you are most successful.
- Why are you better than your co-workers?
- Tell me about your recent successes.
- What does 'failure' mean to you?
- What does 'success' mean to you?
- Describe what success means to you.
- How would you describe your standards of performance?
- Why are you successful?
- What is your definition of success.
- Do you generally think of yourself as a risk-taker or someone who plays it safe?
- To what do you attribute your success?
- Do you feel you have been successful in your job?
- How have your successes benefited your previous employer?
- How do you define 'success?'
- What projects have you recently completed successfully?
- Are you successful in completing projects at work?
- Would you define yourself as a self-starter?
- What do you think has contributed most to your success so far?
- Would you rate yourself as an overachiever?
- How do you determine if you are successful?
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?