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Initiative is the ability to originate an action in the absence of any order or command in the overall
interest of the organisation. Mostly it is misconstrued as the ability to take the FIRST STEP. Anyone
who takes the lead in originating any action is said to be taking initiative as per the common notion. In
my opinion initiative has primarily two elements-firstly the situation and secondly the intention
behind originating any action.
Clear orders or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs in the parlance of Defence) are available in
normal or routine situations. However, it is not possible to decide a course of action where an error of
judgement is likely to happen due to vagueness or ambiguity in the situation. Secondly there may be a
possibility of an unforeseen/unpredictable situation in which the laid down norms or proven methods
could not be applied. The situation demands ‘some new step’ must be taken. The action according to
these situations qualifies to be called as initiative.
Initiative is something beyond routine. In war situations while the soldier is required to follow
commands without any thought, an officer must seek the opportunity to take initiative to turn the
situation in his favour. Initiative, thus, is a step beyond the spirit of ‘strict compliance’. Character of
‘strict compliance’ is a great quality of a soldier, whereas an officer goes beyond merely following the
commands of his superiors taking initiative wherever required. Initiative is better and higher in degree
than merely following.
The second quality of initiative is the intention behind originating action. Only those acts directed
to further the organisational cause can be rightly called as initiative. People originate action due to
many reasons. Many a times actions are taken for ‘self-gratification’ rather than for any organisational
interest. Many other reasons can also be associated but unless the action taken implicitly involves the
achievement of organisational goals, it cannot be called as initiative.
Many individuals have the capability to initiate actions but fell ‘inhibited’ or lack self-assurance due
to which, the initiation of the required action is either very feeble or remains at the level of thoughts only.
Initiative requires not only originating but also sustenance of action till achievement of desired goals.
Self Confidence—It is faith in one’s own ability to meet stressful situations. Self-confidence is
best tested in situations of unfamiliar and ambiguous nature. you will be amazed to see how
comfortably the tribals (even their children) navigate their way through the thick forests without any
landmarks. They do not get lost in the puzzling growth of trees and bushes. But they tremble to go to an
unknown place however clear are the landmarks.
An under confident person perceives stress in unfamiliar situation. The
shadow of stress (perceived stress) is always bigger than the substance (actual
level).

Tolerance to Ambiguity : See and Believe !
1
Visit a railway station and watch the reaction of public on announcements regarding train arrivals. People
hardly react when a train is announced to be late by 4–6 hours but feel perplexed when a train is announced to
be delayed by 30–45 minutes but does not arrive at the announced time !
2
Ask some persons to perform some task (e.g. delivery of an important document to an unknown person at an
unknown place). Allow them to seek clarifications. You will find that a person with high level of confidence
will ask far less number of questions compared to an under confident person !

Speed of Decision—Ability to arrive at workable decision expeditiously. The two elements
involved in this quality are appropriateness and quickness. The appropriateness of decision takes special
importance because they are generally taken in stressful situations and a wrong decision may cost
darely in terms of life and limbs of own troops. Quickness too has a similar significance because in
the combat situation delay can immensely help the enemy or may cause great damage to own
forces. Crisis management is the first and foremost function of the Armed Forces. Each fraction
of second in face of crisis can be damaging and hence decisions must be taken well in time. You
may ask the fighter pilots about the value of SOD. Delay can be suicidal in their profession !