Maintain competitiveness even in trying times

It is a leader's dream to see all employees anticipating future changes, opportunities or problems and preparing the business for it by taking action today.

They are not simply reacting to cues from the operating environment, but proactively trying to make a difference.

This is crucial to succeed or survive in today's fast changing business world with its increasingly complex work tasks.

At the organisational level, adapting and reacting to changes in one's environment is not enough. Companies need to be proactive to stay ahead of competition.

Reaction is costly, a waste of time and breeds de-motivation across the business organisation.

Staying ahead

For the employee, a great way to build your image at work and gain respect and recognition is by being proactive. That means figuring out what needs to be done before it shows up on your desk. It's all about anticipation.

What action could you take to help your boss, your co-worker, and your business partners? Never function in a reactive mode. Staying ahead of the curve will make your work life less chaotic.

Being proactive may even position you for job advancement. Everything else being equal, proactive employee will have the edge over the others.

Employees should engage in self-started, future-oriented behaviour without the need for constant direction and supervision by others. As a life discipline, employees should not let life happen to them but rather, should try to manage, shape, expand, and mould what happens in their lives. In other words 'you control - not be controlled' by external factors.

Outcome

Deep dive into the tasks you do within the work slate. Ask yourself what extra things you can do to ensure success of the activity you support in the value chain.

The paradigm shift needed is to be clear about the outcome of the activity you support not just doing your piece of work better. Doing what you regularly do more efficiently and cost effectively may demand proactive action too but going beyond your boundary to make a greater contribution makes more sense for you and your employer.

Pause for a moment and view your work from the perspective of internal or external customers equally well. The most respected employees in the workplace are team players.

Demonstrate a willingness to assist wherever and whenever needed. Do not wait for opportunities to come your way. Anticipate what's next and take action now.

Emulate others who role model proactive behavior and observe the differences in approach, style and behaviour. Some of the most respected leaders in your company may be proactive people.

Observe their behaviour too. Look for an opportunity to spend a few minutes with them. Explain your desire to be consistently proactive and ask for advice or new pointers. Many of us look up to proactive people as the instigators of action and creative ideas in society.

Free thinking

Proactive employees care about producing their best at all times. You can prevent working in a reactive, chaotic mode if you stay organised. Keep an orderly and timely work pattern to have free thinking space to be proactive.

Being proactive means thinking and acting ahead of anticipated events.

This means using foresight. Not only is it a great method for avoiding more work down the road, but it can be extremely important for averting disasters. Planning well for the future and for instituting systems at work and in study, and planning at home can make life easier, not just for you, but for others too, and besides, it may make you more popular.