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be proactive
/biː proˈæktɪv/
take initiative
To succeed in business, you must be proactive in identifying opportunities.
This means taking action before problems arise or others do.
Business
formal
To take initiative and act in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes.
A proactive manager addresses potential issues before they escalate.
They don't wait for problems to occur; they plan ahead.
Often used in professional and self-improvement contexts.
informal
To take charge of a situation rather than waiting for things to happen.
She was proactive in her job search, networking before she even graduated.
She took steps to secure opportunities before they were advertised.
Common in personal development and career advice.
Collocations
be proactive abouttake action regarding a specific issueproactive approacha strategy that anticipates and prevents problems
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Professional Use
Use 'be proactive' in business and career contexts to show initiative.
Avoid Overuse
In casual conversation, simpler phrases like 'take initiative' may sound more natural.
Gold Rule
Proactive vs. Reactive
Proactive means acting before a situation requires it; reactive means responding after it occurs.
Word Origin
From Latin 'pro-' (before) + 'activus' (active). Popularized in business and psychology literature.
Usage Notes
Often used in professional settings to describe forward-thinking behavior. Avoid overusing in casual conversation.
Word Breakdown
pro-
before
prefixactive
taking action
rootEnglish Dictionary