Encouraging Intern Proactivity
Clear expectations, psychological safety, and consistent reinforcement help interns take initiative, contribute ideas, and stay engaged throughout the internship.
Step 1: Set the Expectation Early
Make it clear from Day 1 that initiative is welcome.
- Encourage questions and ideas in meetings
- Reinforce that interns do not need to wait for prompts
Example:
“We’d love for you to bring questions or ideas to our meetings.”
Step 2: Create a Safe Space for Questions
Normalize curiosity and learning.
- Reinforce that questions are expected
- Invite input explicitly at the end of meetings
Example:
“Any thoughts or questions before we wrap up?”
Step 3: Assign Open-Ended Tasks
Provide structure without over-prescribing.
- Share context and goals
- Leave room for decision-making and problem-solving
Example:
Instead of “Format this report exactly like this,” try
“Here’s the data. How would you suggest presenting it?”
Step 4: Ask for Input Regularly
Invite interns into discussions and decision-making.
- Ask for perspectives related to target users or audiences
- Encourage opinions during planning or review sessions
Example:
“Which option do you think would resonate more with students like yourself?”
Step 5: Recognize Initiative
Reinforce proactive behavior with timely recognition.
- Acknowledge ideas and problem-solving efforts
- Highlight initiative during check-ins or team discussions
Example:
“Great suggestion on that tool. We’ll explore it next week.”
Step 6: Use Weekly Feedback Loops
Leverage the Weekly Feedback Loops (WFLs) to encourage reflection and initiative.
- Encourage interns to raise ideas and blockers
- Use feedback to guide and reinforce proactive behaviors