Question: My team does what I ask, but they don’t take initiative. How do I get them to step up without micromanaging?

Answer: Good intent is manifested by giving Care and Growth.

Care is your licence to grow, so everything starts with Care.

Care is principally about how well you know your people.

Really knowing them is more than just knowing their wife/husband’s name, dog’s name, etc. When you really know someone, you know what makes them tick. i.e. what bores them rigid, what excites them, what would it take to get them interested and curious?

You would know their thoughts on the 3 Ps (Purpose / Passion / Person), i.e. do they understand your company’s noble purpose? Are they passionate about their own trade or function? Do they trust you as a person and a leader?

If they are not showing initiative, that could be largely your fault, not theirs. You haven’t explained the why enough; you haven’t encouraged their development in their trade; you haven’t earned their trust through a million other aspects of care & growth.

None of this is an instant fix. It is a long, relentless input from you to them.

However, once you have done all of the above (probably including a ‘gripe to goal’ assessment) and they still don’t show any interest, it is time for a tougher conversation about whether they are in the right job/industry and help them to a place that does ignite their passion and interest.

There are very few deliberately bad or lazy people (say 5~10%). Most of them reflect the environment in which they operate.