Proactivity is related to the work environment. It appears in hundreds of resumes and in human resources they are looking for proactive people for their companies. In Psychology-Online we explain what is a proactive person and how to be so that you expand your job opportunities.
What does it mean to be a proactive person? A proactive person she is the one who knows that the ultimate choice of anything is hers in that she can always choose how something affects her. He does not allow himself to be overwhelmed by circumstances but take action and modify what is in your hands, either the circumstance or the way it affects you.
He also understands that there are events that are not under his control and accepts them. It anticipates problems by preventing them from occurring or proposing solutions. They are considered valuable for being productive and decisive.
The main characteristics of proactive people are as follows.
1. They have self-knowledge
Proactive people know themselves, are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and strive to improve the latter. In the following article you will find more information about
2. They use assertiveness
They are assertive in their communications and that helps them to have good relationships and get what they need. For example: if an authoritarian boss insists on doing the task her way and the proactive employee knows that there is a better way, through a assertive communication manages to reach an agreement.
3. They practice creativity
Proactive people are creative and find a solution for every type of problem that comes their way. Example: when the usual solution does not work, try others that can give the expected results.
4. Your locus of control is internal
Are made responsible for what happens to them instead of blaming the environment and that allows them to change the situation, either by modifying their behavior or choosing the way in which what happened affects them. For example: if a proactive person has a very demanding supervisor and something unpleasant, he chooses not to affect him.
5. They are focused
Being proactive also means being focused. They focus on the job and not on the petty issues around it like gossip or complaints. For example: while others are dedicated to complaining about the difficulty of the entrusted work, they invest that time in looking for resources that facilitate the task.
6. They are responsible
They take responsibility for their tasks, assume possible failures and learn from them. For example: if a proactive person has made a calculation error in a document that they made while their colleagues around they were talking to each other, instead of blaming distractions, please take responsibility and review the following documents before deliver them.
7. They take care of their circle of influence
Their circle of influence tends to increase, so their resources are expanding. For example: he takes care of his relationship with his colleagues and they help him when he needs a favor.
8. They have self-control
Among the skills of a proactive person is emotional self-control. They do not allow emotions to dominate them in stressful situations. For example: a customer comes in with complaints about a product that has been damaged by misuse and blames him. Instead of reacting aggressively to accusations, he calmly explains what may have happened and seeks a satisfactory solution for both the client and the company.
In the following article you will find What is self-control and techniques to exercise it.
9. They are dynamic
People with a proactive attitude are active, enterprising and energetic. For example: propose changes that can improve the company instead of sitting around waiting for tasks to be entrusted to you.
10. They have a vision of the future
They think long term and anticipate difficulties that may arise. Another example of proactivity in everyday life is that a proactive person, in the search for solutions to a problem, takes into account the long-term repercussions.
Proactive people are generally happier because they don't leave their happiness to circumstances. They know that they always have a choice. How to become more proactive or proactive? There are ways to work and enhance proactivity. Here are 10 tips to be a proactive person:
- The first thing you should do is a self-exploration. Get to know yourself and find out your strengths and weaknesses.
- Take care of the things that you can change, assume the things that you cannot change and learn to differentiate between them.
- Expand your circle of influence by being assertive, collaborative, and sociable.
- Review your language and make modifications (previous section)
- If you commit to something, don't leave it halfway.
- Take your responsibility.
- Anticipate problems.
- Offer the best of you.
- Get started, do not wait sitting down to be told what to do. Create your own opportunities.
- And most importantly, remember that you always have a choice.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
