Promote self Initiative in workplace

Every employee wants to become a supervisor because they want to achieve lower level of supervision and higher decision making power. A supervisor is expected to have a certain level of competency and should be able to think independently. A higher level of independent thinking evolves into the ability to take self initiatives.

Fostering self initiative in the workplace could lead to germination of better ideas and ownership of purpose. It helps enhance employee morale and works as a motivation catalyst. A lot of companies speak about self initiative but very few employees actually demonstrate it because there is a lack of organized recognition for inculcating and demonstrating the behavior, at the same time there’s no proper clarity on how the behavior will help them in moving ahead in their career. 
Altering the degree of supervision according to employees level of competency could encourage employees to demonstrate self initiative.

The W-O-G (White, Orange, and Green) belts can help achieve this….

Employees with Low Competency needs Most Supervision, they will start with a white belt. As their competency increases, they will be encouraged to achieve the orange belt by demonstrating higher level of self initiative. Once they achieve the orange belt, they become lesser supervised.

An orange belt employee is expected to retain his level of competency and independent thinking. They need periodic supervision.  At this level an employee should strive for achieving the prestigious green belt.

A green belt employee is supposed to have achieved the highest level of competency at his current level. They should have demonstrated self initiative consistently and need the least supervision. A green belt employee is ready to be considered for the next level and higher responsibility.

The red portions marked on the figure above are the blockers to independent thinking which triggers self initiative