Is it wrong to take initiative at work?

It seems sooner or later, top management will find out who's not up to the tasks:

1. there has to be the annual performance metrics where one-ups rate their one-down
2. the good news is there are also performance metrics of one-downs for their one-ups
2a. In you case, the leadership performance of your one-up will be considered by your two-up:)

Perhaps the best thing to do is to keep doing your best and even bypass people when you are sure you are right. But before you bypass people, you may try to persuade them to do things your way. If more people see that your way is getting things done, you'll get promoted and earn a much deserver (heart bypass, just teasing)

But most of the above are dead serious.

Cheers

Well why dont you go to the manager and let him know what is going on. I have worked where there was a jealous person, and that person sometimes took credit for something that I did. I finally went to the manager with a friend that helped me and knew what was happening and told them, sorry that project was mine and mine alone. It appears to me that you do need to leave this job and find another one, as I get the feeling that most don't like you there and will do anything to get you fired. It maybe that you do your work when it is there to be done, or you start a project on your own and the rest don't and that makes them look bad, so if they get rid of you, things will be better for you. It does appear to me that you are trying to do your job, and facing a lot of people that would rather see you fail. Is there a way you could start out on your own, or maybe when you get the new job, get some clients, one at a time to do the work for them on the side, until you have built up a following, it is always nicer to work for one's self than to try to please a boss. Some bosses seem to think other are a threat to their job. Or the manager could see you as a threat to his. Any time you have to work in the workforce for someone else, there are problems. I am sorry that I have come down on you so hard on here, but somehow this morning I get the feeling no matter what you do it would not be good enough for them. People who do their jobs and take the initiative with out having to be told to do every little step, become a threat to the ones that don't work that way. Seems to me you would be happier somewhere else. I know jobs are hard to find, but keep looking and putting in resumes and hopefully something will come open for you.

It is a fact of life that no matter how strong or tough you are, there will always be someone strong and tougher than you. Taking initiative at work is no wrong but it might over shadow your team leader. If one is able and strong, then one should disguise oneself in order to appear inept and weak. This will keep the cordial relationship between peers and subordinates strong and trouble free without any form of jealousy.

I do think the ability to take initiative is a good attitude. However, I have learnt that taking initiatives is good only if it is done in the correct situation. At times trying to be helpful ends up becoming a hinder and the feeling is very lousy if people does not appreciate your intention. I have concluded that I will take initiative only within the boundary of my workscope.

Taking initiative has never been proved bad for me personally. I have noticed on many occasions how this happens and why. I have lost job opportunities due to this feeling of jealousy in people in positions of power, but I would sooner not work for someone of that nature.

If your clients appreciate what you do for them, and it doesn't go against the policies of your workplace, continue to please your clients. It will work better for you in the long run, no matter what your immediate supervisor may say or do. When you leave, your clients will follow because it is YOU they deal with, not the company you work for. Continue to build the people, they are where you ultimately get your paycheck from anyways.

Cheers.

Normally not. Unless you have a bunch of people who work for you who are 'slagggers'. They would not like you to take initiative. They will call you as one out to "rock the boat". You would make them look bad before the boss. You may get a good appraisal but working relationship with your colleagues may suck big time!

I don't think it wrong to take the initiative. A fella I worked with a couple years back told me..'Its easy to do someone else's job. You need do something that makes it your job.'
I do it all the time where I work. Granted, I don't work in an office atmosphere, so it doesn't apply exactly. But I have supervisor's fussing amongst themselves as to who gets me for the day.
In your situation I think I would go to the manager and explain that your 'team leader' has lost sight of the 'team goal', that he disapproves of creative initiative thereby hurting the overall performance of the team as a whole.
If your manager truly believes in taking initiative I suspect he will see such action as such and check out your claims.
ENJOY!

Is it never wrong to take initiative at work. Sad to say though when you do and the wrong people notice because they think it is making them look bad that is when you need to document, document document.

At my work we have a sort of initiative tracker where we can put in an idea for an experiment or work related improvement. The nice thing about this tracker is it is software based, not management based it date and time stamps your submission. That way when it is time for reviews you can point out what you've document in the tracker as part of your review. Since it is under your name and time stameped no one else can claim it as theirs.

Even at my work with the tracker in place I do get others on my team who try to devalue my efforts. They see me getting initiative awards and being recognized for my contributions but instead of stepping up and taking initiative they would rather talk behind my back and make false accusations. Luckily my team lead and manager are not like them and encourages me to keep doing what I am doing because I am not doing anything wrong and the people on my team who show their bad attitude only show how inadequate they are.

If you think the Team Lead is speaking bad of you and you can prove otherwise then maybe you should take the proof to the manager, if the manager does nothing take it higher, if you really feel it it is worth it.

When you say you correspond with a client and he is cc'd on the communication how does he take it otherwise? Does he take as if you are telling him he is not doing his job? Or is he stealing your glory so to speak and telling the manager it was his idea to communicate with the client?

I think a situation like that can be solved by cc'ing your manager as well as the team lead, thus leaving no doubt what the intention is. If it comes down to it have a three way meeting with the team lead and manager confronting the team lead about his unprofessional behavior toward you and your work. If it does not get resolved then ask to be moved to a different team.

I wish you the best in this situation.

hi subha 12 we have both been here awhile. I am sorry to hear'you are being talked about falsely. I had a under supervisor once who tried her best to undermine me anytime I took the initiative but fortune took a good turn, she had to have surgery and when she came back her job had been filled. hurrah for my side. I am retired now. I dont think you are wrong at all and you should be moved up because you are taking initiavtive.

Hi subha, this is indeed a bad situation that u r going thru. Well, we also had a reverse appraisal, in which we reported on the team leader. There were specific questions that needed to be answered about the team leaders capabilities, and this was one of them. May be u could try talking to the management to get that type of system in place. Almost all BPO companies have such a system.