If your boss ever told you to tighten-up, it might have been something you needed to hear. While folks have spent so much time on social media spreading the “I wear what I want” and “do what I want” narrative in the workplace, it’s time we take some accountability to get us ahead, and employers are taking initiative to see this through.
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As we’ve previously reported, a survey was conducted and found that 75% of companies were dissatisfied with college grads they recently hired, but there’s been a major shift in how employers are responding. Companies are moving away from traditional instruction-following, and prioritizing employees who can think critically, solve problems on their own, and adapt in real time.
A Shift Toward Self-Sufficiency
In today’s fast-moving work culture, initiative isn’t optional — it’s now the expectation. The World Economic Forum has emphasized the need for companies to embrace what it calls “continuous adaptation” — an enduring, flexible, and proactive approach that encourages workplace cultures to solve problems before they escalate, rather than reacting after the fact.
In other words, your boss is looking for you to take initiative, not constantly ask, “Well, what do you want me to do?” or “What should I do?” Avoid responses like, “I will do whatever y’all want.” Instead, they want to guide you prior to you coming up with solutions.
Forbes also explored a whole new approach to problem-solving in the workplace, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, continuous learning, training employees on problem-solving techniques, and the need for businesses to adapt a culture of continuous improvement.
The majority of organizations lack skilled problem-solvers, according to the outlet, and as the complexities of business continue to increase, the modern workplace has become a kind of dynamic pressure cooker — one that demands a higher level of adaptability, critical thinking, and initiative from employees.
When You Need Help, Take Initiative First
You might be pissing your boss off, and you don’t even know it. According to coach Alexandra Young, leadership wants to help you and guide you, but they don’t want to hold your hand. When it comes to confusion or questions, it’s important that you weigh out all your options, and navigate the issue on your own before going to a superior and expecting the problem solved for you.
“Dont just go to your boss and expect them to solve all your problems for you,” the content creator stated. “Help yourself by looking it up first, and then asking them to weigh the options with you.”
In taking this advice, the process will also teach you how to problem solve on your own. When it comes to any workplace in any field, putting out little fires is expected, and when you can rise to the occasion, you’re sure to make the team proud.
Take Constructive Criticism, Do Better Going Forward
Learning to take constructive criticism is less about ego and more about growth. When someone points out a misstep, the smartest move isn’t arguing — it’s listening, internalizing, and figuring out how to do better next time. That mindset doesn’t just help you survive at work — it helps you actually get ahead.
“Something employers are looking for more and more these days is people who can respond to feedback in a constructive manner, meaning you can take feedback that may have been really hard to hear, and turn it around to make yourself a more marketable employee by honoring the feedback.”
First and foremost, according to Susannah Margison, it’s okay to honor those feelings. It hurts when you’ve given a task a clear shot, and missed. This happens to the best of us. While processing your improvement, it’s important to look for the key factors in the feedback you can add into your performance.
“Think of the version of yourself that you would want to hire,” Margison says. “Do that thing.
Programs Are Available
Skills to Pay the Bills and other programs helping young people get workplace-ready are all about the soft skills — communication, professionalism, problem-solving, and teamwork. From CareerLaunch to online courses like LinkedIn Learning, these programs help young people navigate challenges and show up to succeed at work.
At the end of the day, employers aren’t just looking for perfection, they’re looking for employees who can learn, adapt, and grow from their missteps. Taking initiative, listening to feedback, and applying it thoughtfully shows that you can handle challenges and evolve. In a workplace that’s always changing, mastering that skill may just be the edge you need to set yourself apart.
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