ABSTRACT
Individual proactive work behaviour is important for team performance. The proactive manager can improve motivation by offering an example to others and by developing their emotional intelligence in their interaction with their team. Personal awareness is fundamental to proactivity at the individual level; however, encouraging proactivity at the team level also requires emotional intelligence to improve relationships and inspire other people. For people managing health and social care services for the first time, there is often some anxiety and concern about the transition from being a practitioner to being a manager. The majority of research into proactive behaviour has focused on the individual and on distilling the individual characteristics associated with being proactive. The progressive nature of proactive behaviour seems confirmed by its close association with inspirational forms of leadership, where the proactive leader can enthuse other people with a vision of a better future.
