Take the Initiative – Be Squared Away
It was close to 5:00 pm EST on one Friday afternoon. At the time, I was stationed at Fort Eustis. It’s located just outside of Newport News, Virginia. Before we could leave for the weekend, the company’s common area had to be cleaned up. Most of the soldiers would wait for someone to tell them what to do. But I wasn’t like most soldiers.
I knew the floor needed to be swept, the trash needed to be taken out, and everyone needed to be ready for final formation.
Because I was the type of soldier to always take the initiative, I grabbed a broom and began sweeping the floor. While I was sweeping, I suggested some of the other soldiers grab the trash. Another soldier grabbed the other broom. We were high-speed. Together, we had cleaned the area and were ready for final formation long before being asked/directed.
In fact, leadership was quite pleased that we were ready for final formation nearly thirty-minutes early. When we look good, we make those in charge of us (i.e., supervisors, managers, etc.) look good.
Don’t wait to be asked.
When it comes to taking the initiative, we don’t wait to be asked. By waiting to be asked, you’re essentially telling others that you’re unable to think for yourself.
It doesn’t mean that you actually are that way. I said it makes others believe that’s the way that you are. However, when you take the initiative, you’re telling others that you can be counted on. That you can get the job done, without having to be asked or told. And that you can think for yourself. You’ve anticipated what needed done and took the appropriate action(s).
As easy as that sounds, it’s not all that common in reality. Many teenagers and young adults these days sit and wait to be told what to do. It’s as if, that’s how they’ve been raised. Don’t get me wrong, not all youngsters and/or young adults are like that. There are always exceptions to the rule.
Nonetheless, more often than not, it seems as if the next generation of young adults have been taught entitlement over servitude.
Watching the news, and everything that goes on in the world, it would seem that too many teenagers and young adults believe that they’re somehow “owed” something.
Rather than have an entitlement mentality, we should want to help others. And to do it before being asked/told to do so.
There’s a great feeling that adjoins helping others. Not to mention, when you do this, others will see you as able and willing. If you have those qualities, along with being reliable, organized, and having personal fortitude, in the military, you’d be considered “squared away.”
What does it mean to be “squared away?”
When a person is said to be “squared away” they’re said to have their stuff together. They’re organized, prepared, and ready for whatever obstacle(s) they may face. Their level of performance is considered to be superior (or at least far above average).
These individuals are also said to be “high-speed.” For your information, the terms squared away and high-speed are often interchangeable. Instead of saying someone is “squared away”, they might refer to someone as being, “high-speed” or “high-speed, low-drag.”
Being squared away is the best way to be. Your reputation, as such, will get around. Others will know of you before they know you.
It really isn’t hard to be squared away. Especially if you already have the mentality and work effort that coincides with it. It’s a matter of making sure that you’re always prepared. And you’re thinking one to two steps ahead of everyone else.
Don’t get me wrong. You do want to be the very best version of yourself. But your goal is to be that way in order to help those who aren’t there yet.
At the same time, it’s not all about you. If, and when, it becomes all about you, then your reputation will become tarnished.
If we only care about “me,” that will get around too. Rather, put yourself aside and think about others first. When we’re prepared, we’re taking the burden off of someone else. And since we’re prepared, we’re able to assist others who aren’t.
Try to make your boss look good, by being “squared away.”
It speaks volumes when you make the conscious decision to help others. Simultaneously, we make our bosses look good. If one squared away person can help his/her entire team get squared away, then senior leadership will look at the team leader as the source. A good team leader will then pass along that praise to where it belongs.
Unfortunately, there are many bad individuals in leadership positions. These so-called “leaders” are the ones who take the praise as if it was their doing. Believe me, that can be extremely frustrating.
Now if it was in fact due to their leadership, then it’s well deserved. The praise was directed correctly. At the same time, when it wasn’t due to their leadership, then resentment can set in.
As smart workers who work hard, we like being acknowledged for our efforts. But we’re not in it for the praise. That’s not why we do it. We’re squared away because that’s who we are.
Often times, we find ourselves as the ones making the team look good. The leader, in turn, is getting all of the accolades without passing them along. Don’t get upset when it happens. Please understand, they will be found out. Eventually you will leave the team, for one reason or another. Once that happens, and the team is no longer functioning at a high caliber, that leader will be exposed for who they really are.
Still, don’t be a squared a person just to get accolades though. Be that way because that’s who you are. Or who you desire to be.
Don’t let the opportunity pass you buy.
Much of our reputation, as being squared away, is based on what we have done in the past. It’s also based on what we’re capable of doing. Not just for ourselves, but for others.
Don’t let the opportunity of helping someone else pass you by. Keep in mind, I’m not talking about the exchange of money. Though it’s very well within your right to give handouts if you so wish.
More times than not, when you help others, you‘ll be rewarded for your efforts. Not necessarily in the form of a physical payment or public praise. Rather, the payment will be through an emotional reward.
When we do acts of kindness for others, it simply makes us feel better. It just feels good.
It’s quite easy for us to want to stay in our own little bubble. In order to have a reputation that proceeds you, we may need to get outside of our comfort zone. To go out and show others who you are and what you’re capable of.
You never know who might be helping. That person you’re about to help out, may very well be your next boss, customer, friend, and/or significant other. Don’t let the opportunity to help pass you by.
What does that look like?
For those who want to be squared away, but you’re not quite sure what that looks like, here are some examples of what one might do.
If you’re still living at home, make sure your room is clean and in order. Clean up around the house by vacuuming/sweeping and mopping, doing the dishes, cleaning the windows, dusting the furniture, cleaning up shrubbery, and the like. All without being asked or told to do so. The idea is to go beyond your normal chores. And when you do it, do it without expecting any type of reward.
For those who are on your own, be squared away at work. Arrive before your workday starts. There’s an old saying in the military, “if you’re on-time, you’re late.” Be the best at your specific job/role. Know it inside and out. Backwards and forwards. Become the expert if you’re not already.
Even more, find things that you could do to make your bosses job easier and do them. Ask them if you don’t know what that might be. If, and when, you’re running a meeting, make sure to start on-time and end on-time.
Essentially, you are taking care of your normal duties and then going above and beyond. It’s important to remember, that you’re doing this to help and not to hinder.
Ensure that what you’re doing is beneficial to others. Don’t do something just to have something to do. It must be productive and of benefit to those around you.
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