1001 ways to take initiative at work

1001 ways to take Initiative at Work by Bob Nelson, Workman Publishing (through Presentations), RRP $29.95

Described as the first management book for employees, Bob Nelson aim is to help the reader take the initiative, which he defines as having the imagination, intelligence and energy to get out and get things done.

Divided into three parts: You and your job; You and others; and Your career and your life, advice is given on a range of business topics, including customer service.

The main body of the book is a collection of short illustrative examples. The publication escapes being just another motivational manual by offering concise practical suggestions in highlighted boxes on how to achieve results at all levels in any organisation.

Author of eighteen books, including two others in the 1001 Ways series, Nelson has an MBA from the University of California and is a doctoral candidate in the executive management programme of the Peter F Drucker Graduate Management Center.

Nelson considers nothing can take the place of persistence and innovation is unpredictable. Thomas Edison tried 1000 different materials for the filament of the light bulb before succeeding, he notes. And a 25-year study of IBM, General Electric, Polaroid and Xerox showed not a single product had come from a formal planning process.

He urges readers to be responsible for their own actions by being proactive, not reactive. “An idiot with initiative will accomplish more in a week than a genius talking about an idea with his friends for a year, “ sums up his message.

© 2008 L Donald
all rights reserved
Appeared in The National Business Review