Initiative

Initiative means not waiting for a complete briefing, a reminder or a sign-off for every small step. When you see what is needed next, you set it in motion.

As a small team we depend on this. We work closely, the paths are short, and not every task can be described in advance. That is why we expect everyone to keep their own area in view and at the same time see what the shared result still lacks.

Start, wherever you stand.

Initiative is not an inborn character trait. It grows when you get used to seeing the next sensible step and setting it off. You do not have to decide everything alone. Often a clear sentence is enough: “I would do X next, because Y. Any reason not to?” That makes your thinking visible, leaves room for objections, and still does not wait unnecessarily.

Think backward from the aim

A task is not automatically the aim. Before you invest a lot of time, clarify: What do we actually want to achieve? Does the planned step help?

Sometimes less is needed than thought. Sometimes another path gets to the result faster or better. If you notice that, do not quietly keep working the existing plan. Raise it and propose a better answer.

Speak up early

Initiative mostly shows in small situations:

• You notice information is missing and get it from clients or the team, instead of waiting.

• You see a gap between concept and making and raise it before it gets expensive.

• You prepare the next decision instead of waiting for the next check-in.

• You see a meeting is about to slip and say so while we can still react.

Problems rarely get smaller when they are left lying. Speaking up early is therefore not a disruption, but part of your work.

Ask for clarity

If something is missing, ask. That goes for information, decisions, access and feedback. Do not wait for someone else to notice what you need in order to continue.

Some questions feel uncomfortable at first. They can still be necessary. What matters is that you explain why you are asking and what the answer changes for the project.

Get feedback, do not only give it

We practise critique in shoulder-checks and design critique. Initiative also means asking for feedback actively. Do not only ask whether everything is fine. Ask what does not yet hold, or what you should improve next.

That helps you sharpen your own judgement. And it stops you working for a long time in a direction we later have to correct together.

Keep going reliably

Initiative does not end with starting. When you take something on, you keep in view what is needed for it, where it might stall, and whom you need to involve.

Keep the status in Basecamp current. Flag blocks early. Make sure others understand how it continues. That way no one has to chase your work or piece the project status together again.

What initiative is not

Initiative does not mean working longer, deciding everything alone or putting every idea into action at once. It needs alignment and good judgement.

Simply running off can cause as much work as waiting too long. Clarify the direction when it is unclear. Once it is clear, take responsibility for the next step.

Why we hold it this way

We want to be a workshop in which everyone knows their craft and together watches over the result. That only works if work does not get stuck between roles and responsibilities. If you see the next sensible step, make it visible. Leave room for objections. And then get going.