initelnost

Initelnost is a term used to describe the quality or state of being an initiator, specifically the tendency to start actions, projects, or changes rather than waiting to respond to events. While not universally standardized in dictionaries, it appears in some discussions of personality and organizational behavior as a close analogue of initiative or proactivity, with emphasis on the proactive initiation of new tasks and opportunities.

The word is formed with a root related to initiation or beginning and a suffix that marks a quality or state. It is sometimes presented as a neologism or regional variant in languages such as Slovene or Serbo-Croatian, where speakers may distinguish initiatory drive (initelnost) from other forms of motivation.

In practice, initelnost is used to describe individuals or units—teams, departments, or organizations—that routinely take the first steps in new endeavors, propose changes, secure needed resources, and sustain momentum through early stages of a project. It is often discussed as a facet of leadership, entrepreneurship, or high conscientiousness and openness to experience, and it is linked to measurable outcomes such as faster startup times, higher rates of project initiation, and greater adaptability.

Measurement of initelnost, when used in research or assessments, typically involves self-report scales or observer ratings of proactive behavior, initiative-taking, and willingness to act on opportunities. It is considered alongside related constructs like initiative, proactivity, and entrepreneurial orientation.

See also: initiative, proactivity, leadership, entrepreneurship, psychological constructs of conscientiousness and openness to experience.