Here's how you can demonstrate initiative and exceed your job responsibilities.

Take Ownership: Proactively take on additional tasks or projects beyond your assigned duties. Problem Solving: Identify challenges or inefficiencies and propose solutions to improve processes. Continuous Learning: Seek opportunities for professional development and stay updated with industry trends. Team Collaboration: Offer support to colleagues and contribute ideas to enhance team projects. Leadership: Step up to lead initiatives or mentor colleagues, showcasing leadership skills. Results Orientation: Focus on delivering high-quality results and meeting deadlines consistently. By consistently demonstrating initiative and going above and beyond, you can stand out as a valuable asset to your organization.

First - let's talk about what 'identifying needs' means relative to initiative: the Golden Rule is to bring a recommended solution or outcome along with the need or the problem. As a team leader, if a coworker dropped a 'need' on my desk two things happened - (1) I was just officially put in charge of solving the problem and (2) that coworker became a part of my problem. Taking initiative means thinking through the challenge and then making the first pass at defining what life without that challenge will mean. Point A: The problem Point B: the outcome that mitigates the problem In between Point A and Point B are all of the steps and tasks it might take to get to resolution. That's a team effort. Don't stop at Point A

Problem solving and taking initiative on a task or challenge is not usually a solo effort. Here's the good news: if you are early in a career, your age group will likely fall into the Millennial or Gen Z years. You were born into collaborative behaviors with your peers. Networking is somewhat natural, but effective networking takes practice and skills development. What are your needs for this initiative and who can you reach out to for support? This may extend beyond your normal network and comfort level and (gasp) may even require Boomer support. Use that Millennial/GenZ superpower and reach outward to resources. Not just to copy and paste, but to leverage the diversity of experience and insights and eagerness!!

Be positive, but don't just act positive It might not 'be okay'...but in study after study, it has been demonstrated that an outlook of positivity ('it really suck for me now. And I will survive this') offers more than just emotional health. That outlook and perspective and approach offers physical healing capability. Ask yourself - what about this problem or initiative or challenge, and the effort to find its solution, will build my capability and expand my horizons as a professional and as a person. Especially, and particularly, if that challenge is centered on a social or cultural deficiency - in your work space or in your community. Your effort might just impact more than you see or can measure, or even be made aware of.