The "it's not my job" attitude is more than just an employee career killer; it's a symptom of a much larger organizational problem. Workers who simply do their jobs and nothing more do not contribute to company growth.

If they don't take the initiative by seeking out new projects and looking for opportunities to share their ideas and suggestions, an organization can become ensnared in old ways of doing things.

Promotional Consultant Today shares six tips from business coach Joel Garfinkle on how managers can create an environment where initiative is encouraged and appreciated by empowering employees and rewarding them for their efforts.

1. Tell employees what they want and why. Managers should tell their employees why it's important for them to take initiative, and explain how being proactive will be good for the company and for them. When employees take initiative, the benefits can include improved customer satisfaction, cost savings, new product ideas and problem solving.

2. Be a role model. Leaders must demonstrate the calculated risk-taking behavior they want their teams to emulate and hold their fellow managers accountable. The best leaders don't just give orders, they inspire.

3. Authorize teams to make decisions. Good managers give employees the authority to take the initiative on certain things without prior approval. For example, employees at the Ritz-Carlton know they can spend up to $2,000 to ensure a guest is satisfied.

4. Provide a positive, encouraging environment. People are most creative when they enjoy their work. There's a reason Google allows its engineers to spend 20 percent of their time working on projects of their choosing.

5. Recognize efforts even if they fail. As Bill Gates once said, "How a company deals with mistakes suggests how well it will wring the best ideas and talents out of its people." Employees need to know there will not be any repercussions when they screw up. Managers should recognize them for taking risks even if it didn't work out. This will give them the courage to continue trying.

6. Reward success. Some of the best rewards provide recognition. For example, employees who demonstrate initiative may be given the opportunity to have lunch with the CEO or other senior leaders. This can be an exciting and motivating experience. Extra vacation days, showing appreciation for a person's ideas in front of senior leadership or presenting the person with some sort of award during the weekly staff meeting are all good ways to recognize employees who take initiative.

When the work environment promotes initiative, employees feel empowered to be creative rather than rigidly adhering to guidelines that may not provide the best solution. Managers should recognize risk-takers for their ideas, and give them verbal credit when their suggestions are implemented. Seeing their ideas in practice gives employees a feeling of pride and accomplishment, and that's the best reward of all.

Source: Joel Garfinkle is an executive coach and the author of Getting Ahead: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level.