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take initiative — to be the first to act or speak in order to deal with a situation or solve a problem

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to be the first to act or speak in order to deal with a situation or solve a problem

Pronunciation (IPA): /teɪk ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/

Example Sentences

  • The intern took initiative and brought donuts for everyone, instantly becoming the office favorite.
  • We need someone who can take initiative and work independently.
  • He took the initiative to clean the office kitchen after the pizza party disaster.

take initiative

VERB

[/teɪk ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/]

to be the first to act or speak in order to deal with a situation or solve a problem

a confident businesswoman stands up from her chair while others remain seated looking worried. She points toward a whiteboard and begins drawing solution diagrams with a marker. The other team members were just sitting around the table discussing problems without acting. Now they lean forward attentively as she outlines a clear action plan. Her decisive movement breaks the stalemate as colleagues start nodding and taking notes. The room's energy shifts from confusion to focused determination. someone being the first to act in order to deal with a situation and solve a problem
💡 Concept

a confident businesswoman stands up from her chair while others remain seated looking worried. She points toward a whiteboard and begins drawing solution diagrams with a marker. The other team members were just sitting around the table discussing problems without acting. Now they lean forward attentively as she outlines a clear action plan. Her decisive movement breaks the stalemate as colleagues start nodding and taking notes. The room's energy shifts from confusion to focused determination. someone being the first to act in order to deal with a situation and solve a problem

Taking initiative often helps people become better leaders.
🧠 Mnemonic

Taking initiative often helps people become better leaders.

Taking initiative created a positive attitude and a competitive advantage.
🎵 Rhyme

Taking initiative created a positive attitude and a competitive advantage.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/teɪk ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/teɪk ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixin--
Rootiti
Suffix--ative

🎵Rhyme

creativenativerelative
creative
native
relative

🔗Collocations

take the initiative
show initiative
lack initiative
personal initiative
business initiative
government initiative

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The intern took initiative and brought donuts for everyone, instantly becoming the office favorite.”

“We need someone who can take initiative and work independently.”

😄 Fun example

“He took the initiative to clean the office kitchen after the pizza party disaster.”

“The manager praised employees who take initiative in problem-solving.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

take chargetake the leadstep upbe proactivespearhead

Antonyms

waitfollowhesitate

Related

leadershipproactiveself-startermotivationresponsibility

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