Initiative zeigen

This phrase is a powerhouse in professional settings. You combine the noun Initiative with the verb zeigen. It works just like "to show" in English. You can say ich zeige, er zeigte, or wir haben gezeigt. It's often used with modal verbs like sollte or muss. For example, Du solltest mehr Initiative zeigen. You can also use it in the negative. Keine Initiative zeigen means someone is being passive or lazy. Don't be that person. In German, Initiative is feminine, so it's die Initiative. But in this phrase, it usually stands alone without an article.

Use it when you want to impress a boss. Mention it in your CV or during an interview. It's also great for group projects at school. If no one picks a topic, you should Initiative zeigen. It works whenever someone needs to step up.

• In a job interview: Ich zeige gerne Initiative.
• With a lazy roommate: Zeig mal ein bisschen Initiative!
• In a team meeting: Wir müssen hier mehr Initiative zeigen.

It shows you are a leader and a contributor. It is also great for dating when someone finally makes the first move.

Don't use it if the situation is strictly regulated. If you're a trainee in a chemistry lab, don't just "show initiative" with random chemicals. That's how superhero origin stories—or lab explosions—start. Always follow safety rules first. Also, avoid it in very relaxed, personal moments. Don't tell someone to Initiative zeigen while they are napping on a Sunday. That’s just mean. And be careful with the tone. If you say it to a friend, it can sound a bit bossy. It’s like saying, "Stop being so useless." Use it with a smile if you're not at work.

Germans love the word Eigenverantwortung. This means personal responsibility. In many German offices, doing what you're told is only the bare minimum. They want a Mitdenker—someone who thinks with the team. This person sees a problem and fixes it. They don't wait for a meeting to discuss it. Historically, this links to the value of craftsmanship and mastery. A true master doesn't need to be told to sweep the floor. They just see the dust and act. This proactive spirit is highly respected in German society. It shows you care about the result, not just the paycheck.

You might hear Eigeninitiative ergreifen. That sounds a bit more formal. It literally means "to seize" initiative. It’s the kind of phrase you’d see in a formal letter of recommendation. Another one is proaktiv sein. That's the modern, corporate version. It’s very common in tech startups. If you want to be more down-to-earth, try etwas in die Hand nehmen. This means taking charge of a situation. If you want to be poetic, use den ersten Schritt machen. This means taking the first step in a new direction. All of these phrases celebrate the act of starting.