You notice something needs to be done that would help out your boss or the team. You want to step in, and then you hesitate. Why do you do that? Why do I do that? Why does anyone do that?
There are a couple of reasons I hear from my clients and colleagues:
Firstly, we don’t want to overstep. No one has asked us to help and perhaps it won’t be appreciated.
Secondly, we think there must a reason they didn’t ask for my help. If they wanted my help, wouldn’t they have asked me.
Thirdly, we’re afraid of making a mistake. What if what we do turns out not to be so helpful.
The other day I was invited to a project. I was invited to a Teams page, and before I knew it, I was updating the deck. Since changes on Teams are immediate, I suddenly had the thought that perhaps I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous.
When I mentioned it to the team leader, they were grateful that I’d taken the initiative. Everyone was so time-crunched and under such a tight deadline, that my stepping in was really appreciated.
And that’s the ONE thing to take away here: more often than not, people love others who don’t wait to be asked. It eases their burden and we could all use more of that.
Try this ONE thing
Look around to find something that needs to be done, even if, especially if, it’s not your job. Then do it.
Worried that your inability to take initiative may be holding you back from being seen as you’d like to be seen? Let’s talk. You can schedule a call with me here.