Eigeninitiative
personal initiative, self-starting ability
noun EYE-gen-ee-nee-tsee-ah-tee-ve Rare
Usage Note
Eigeninitiative describes the disposition to act on one's own without waiting to be told. Eigeninitiative zeigen or aus Eigeninitiative handeln are standard phrases in German job advertisements and performance reviews — consistently valued as a workplace virtue.
Examples
"Aus Eigeninitiative schlug sie eine Lösung vor, bevor das Problem eskalierte."
Natural Translation
On her own initiative she proposed a solution before the problem escalated.
Literal Translation
From personal-initiative she suggested a solution before the problem escalated.
Related Words
- Abgeklärtheit serenity, mature composure, detached calm
- Anmaßung presumption, arrogance, overstepping
- Aufgeschlossenheit open-mindedness, receptiveness
- Bedachtheit deliberateness, thoughtful care, circumspection
- Begeisterungsfähigkeit capacity for enthusiasm
- Beharrungsvermögen tenacity, perseverance
- Beharrungswille persistence, determination to persist
- Beherrschtheit self-control, composure
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