Acting Proactively course

In this course you learn to act proactively, look ahead and take control yourself. You work on assertiveness, communication, ownership and effective planning.

8.6 from 6 reviews 4,6 on Google NRTO quality mark

Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.

For a team or department? Arrange your own group, at your premises or ours. In-company for your team

In brief. Acting Proactively is a 2-day classroom course. You can take it in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Zwolle or online, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is € 1250,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.

  • You take control yourself
  • Looking ahead instead of waiting
  • More initiative, more impact
  • More assertive, with respect for others
  • An overview through smart planning
RobMichaelaChristyJoris

Your trainer: Rob, Michaela, Christy or Joris 995 evaluations in total, averaging 8,9. View the trainers

Do you often wait instead of taking the initiative yourself? With the Acting Proactively course you take control, look ahead and get more out of yourself and your team. Work more efficiently, communicate more strongly and achieve better results.

Description

Do you often wait for others to act, or do you notice that you only respond once something is already under way? In this course you learn how to take control, look ahead and take the initiative.

You gain insight into your own patterns of thinking and behaviour and discover which beliefs are holding you back. You work on your communication, assertiveness and self-confidence, and learn how to enthuse others and get them on board with your approach.

You also receive practical tools for organising your work more intelligently, setting priorities and anticipating what is coming. By practising with recognisable situations from your own work, you translate what you have learnt directly into your daily practice.

The course works with a small group of no more than eight participants, so there is plenty of room for personal attention, practice and feedback. Beforehand, the trainer holds an intake to make sure the content matches your learning objectives.

Topics

During the training course, subjects covered include:

  • Communication skills: you gain insight into the communication process, with attention to techniques such as slowing down, allowing silences, probing, summarising, influencing and motivating.
  • Challenging limiting beliefs: you analyse limiting situations, thoughts and feelings, so that you understand your own behaviour better and learn to act more effectively.
  • Assertiveness, self-confidence and courage: you learn to act with greater self-awareness, with respect for the other person. This helps you present yourself better and builds your self-confidence.
  • Taking ownership: you are responsible for your own personal growth. That requires active commitment.
  • Giving feedback and asking questions: you strengthen cooperation, increase the sense of responsibility and constructively correct unwanted behaviour. The Johari window, among other things, is covered here.
  • Team Effectiveness Model: from mission and vision to mutual relationships. What is your team's contribution to the bigger picture, and how do you deliver it?
  • Personal leadership: the basis for effective and productive collaboration. When everyone knows their role and wants to get the best out of themselves, the whole team grows with it.
  • Anticipating: you map out your tasks using the Eisenhower model and learn to organise your work on the basis of important/not important and urgent/not urgent.
  • Evaluating and reflecting: you deliberately set aside time for this, so that you can adjust course in good time where necessary.

Result

After this course:

you present yourself more proactively and take the initiative more often, you have more insight into your own thinking and actions, you know your strengths and points for attention in the way you communicate and work, you look ahead and anticipate what is coming, and because you have a better view of your tasks and your team's role, you know how to enthuse others and get them on board.

Target audience

This course is intended for anyone who wants to be less passive and take the initiative themselves. You will probably recognise yourself in one or more of the following points:

You want to plan and look ahead better, you want to become more assertive and effective, you find yourself too passive, you want to enthuse others and get them moving.

This list is of course not exhaustive, because everyone is different. What would you like to focus on when it comes to acting proactively?

Teaching method

During the course you work in a small group of no more than eight participants, so there is plenty of room for personal attention and practice. Before the course you have an intake with the trainer. In this you discuss your learning objectives, which are then incorporated into the final programme.

We work on the principle of 'doing and experiencing'. So you actively get to work with exercises, role plays and practical situations from your own job. We alternate theory with reflection, so that you can immediately translate what you have learned into your daily practice.

A safe atmosphere is paramount: you need to feel comfortable experimenting with new behaviour and new skills. The trainer pays deliberate attention to this, so that you can take steps with confidence.

Prior knowledge

You do not need any specific prior knowledge for this course. An open attitude and the willingness to look at your own behaviour are enough. Do you want to stop waiting and start taking the initiative yourself? Then you are very welcome.

Comments

There are no particular details for this course.

Practical information

Number of days
2 days
Course times
from 10 am to 5 pm
Teaching hours
12 hours
Education level
Suitable for all levels
Preparation time
None
Included
Course materials and lunch on site
Certificate
At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
Cancel
Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)

Language

The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.

In-company

Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.

Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.

Request a quote More about Proactive Behaviour in-company

All start dates

2 training days. Confirmed dates first, then in order of date.

  • Thu 12 & Thu 26 November 2026Certain to go ahead Zwolle · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 15 October Enrol
  • Tue 24 Nov & Tue 8 Dec 2026Certain to go ahead The Hague · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 27 October Enrol
  • Thu 12 & Thu 26 November 2026 Online · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 15 October Enrol
  • Thu 17 Dec 2026 & Mon 4 Jan 2027 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 19 November Enrol
  • Tue 9 & Tue 23 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 12 January Enrol

No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.

This course by city

This course for your team?

Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.

  • Your date and location
  • Tailored content
  • Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
  • More than 25 years' experience
Request a quote No obligation, an adviser will be in touch shortly How in-company works

What others say about this course

8.6
Acting Proactively course: average 8.6 from 6 reviews

“You learn a great deal here!”

M. Ahdoudi - Het Utrechts Archief9.0

“The course was very well structured. Easy to follow and highly instructive. The material covered was new to me and was also very easy to understand. I got a lot out of it and there are many things I will apply in practice. A very clear trainer who is also very good at getting the message across. The course was delivered in an inspiring and instructive way.”

Anonymous9.6

“A lot of content, a great many topics and techniques covered, without it feeling as though we were rushing through the material. The trainer made many techniques visual, and by working through assignments it wasn't so theoretical but actually very practical.”

J. Butter-Verduin - Ahold Delhaize8.6

“The information about courses on the website immediately gave me the feeling: this is the place for me / this is what I'm looking for. Very clear. When I registered, I received an immediate response along with additional information.”

P. Scheuerman
Gemeente Amsterdam
7.8

“A varied course covering all kinds of aspects of personal development. I discovered that acting proactively is a good deal more than just looking ahead.”

Participant

“Well organised, with a good trainer who had prepared the course thoroughly and led both days expertly. A pleasant schedule with a good balance between listening and doing, whether in groups or not. There is also ample time for breaks.”

R. de Groot - Staatsbosbeheer9.0

Training formats

Classroom

2 days€ 1250,-
  • Pleasant venue with a good trainer
  • Small groups
  • Inspiring and motivating
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Online

2 days€ 1080,-
  • Online with a trainer
  • Personal
  • Practical and interactive
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In-company

Bespoke trainingOn request
  • 100% for your group
  • Bespoke training
  • At your place or ours
View in-company

Workshop

Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request
  • Suitable for events
  • Interactive and inspiring
  • Large groups too
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Private training

At our place or yoursOn request
  • 100% just for you
  • Achieve a lot in little time
  • Whenever you want
Request a quote

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel free of charge?

Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.

Who is the Acting Proactively course suitable for?
The Acting Proactively course is suitable for anyone who finds themselves too hesitant and wants to take more control in their work and collaboration. You might recognise yourself in wanting to plan better, act more assertively or take the initiative more often. The group consists of no more than eight participants, so there is room for your personal learning objectives and practical situations.
Which topics are covered during the Acting Proactively course?
During the Acting Proactively course you work on communication skills, assertiveness, ownership and personal leadership. You also learn to recognise limiting beliefs, give feedback using the Johari window and prioritise tasks with the Eisenhower model. In addition, you look at team effectiveness, anticipating and reflecting, so that you learn to look ahead in a structured way instead of waiting for things to happen.
What is the approach during the Acting Proactively course?
The Acting Proactively course uses a personal approach with no more than eight participants per group. An intake takes place beforehand, so that the trainer can tailor the programme to your learning objectives. During the course you learn mainly by doing and experiencing: exercises, role plays and reflection are central. A safe atmosphere means you can experiment freely with new behaviour.
What are the results of the Acting Proactively course?
After the Acting Proactively course you present yourself in a visibly more proactive way and have more insight into your own thinking and behaviour. You know your communication style, qualities and points for attention, and you can anticipate through a better view of your tasks and the role of your team. You also know how to enthuse others and take the initiative, instead of waiting for someone else to act.
How large is the group during the Acting Proactively course?
The Proactive Behaviour course has a maximum group size of eight participants. This small group means you receive plenty of personal attention from the trainer and there is room to practise new skills. You learn in a safe atmosphere, which safeguards the learning effect and the return on the classroom course.
What is the difference between the Proactive Behaviour course and an Assertiveness or Time Management course?
Acting proactively partly overlaps with both, but it sits differently. An assertiveness course focuses mainly on standing up for yourself and setting boundaries. A time management course is about planning, prioritising and managing your diary. Acting proactively combines those elements and adds a further layer: taking the initiative yourself, looking ahead and taking charge in your work and your team. In concrete terms, during this classroom course you work on ownership, anticipating with the Eisenhower model, communication skills, giving feedback using the Johari window and the team effectiveness model. So you choose this course if you don't just want to be more assertive or plan better, but above all want to develop a more active, guiding attitude. For yourself and towards your team.
When should I choose a classroom Acting Proactively course rather than a book or an online course on proactivity?
A book or online course works fine if you want to understand in theory what proactive behaviour involves. You read about models such as the Eisenhower model or the Johari window and can reflect on them yourself. Learnit's classroom Proactive Behaviour course adds something that self-study does not offer: practising with real people. In a group of no more than eight participants you experiment with assertive behaviour, giving feedback and asking follow-up questions, and you get immediate responses from a trainer and fellow participants. Limiting beliefs are rarely changed by reading about them. That requires interaction and reflection from others. Choose the course if you want to change your behaviour, not just acquire knowledge. For pure theory, a book will do.
How do I know whether this course will really do something for me, rather than my simply falling back into old, passive behaviour shortly afterwards?
Whether the course sticks depends on two things: recognition beforehand and practice during. Prior to the Acting Proactively course you have an intake with the trainer, in which your personal learning objectives are set down. The programme is adjusted accordingly. During the course you work actively with your own real-life situations: limiting beliefs are analysed, you practise giving feedback (among other things via the Johari window) and you map out your tasks using the Eisenhower model. With a maximum group size of eight participants, you get plenty of practice time and personal feedback. You prevent relapse by applying what you learn directly to current tasks and projects.
Which models and techniques will I actually learn during the Acting Proactively course?
During the classroom-based Acting Proactively course you work with a number of concrete models and techniques. You use the Eisenhower model to categorise tasks on the basis of urgency and importance, so that you learn to anticipate instead of react. You use the Johari window when giving and receiving feedback, to make blind spots in your behaviour visible. In addition, you work with the Team Effectiveness Model, which helps you to link mission, vision and mutual relationships within your team to concrete contributions. The communication techniques covered include slowing down, using silences, asking follow-up questions, summarising, influencing and motivating. You practise these actively in a group of no more than eight participants, guided by an experienced trainer.
Is the Acting Proactively course enough to genuinely change your behaviour?
The classroom course is enough to put the building blocks in place: you recognise your limiting beliefs, practise communicating assertively and learn to set priorities using the Eisenhower model. The actual change in behaviour takes place in the weeks and months that follow, at your workplace. That is not a shortcoming of the course, but the nature of behavioural change: new behaviour has to be embedded in your own context. The course gives you a framework, language and concrete techniques for doing so. Expect some three to six months of conscious practice before acting proactively becomes second nature. Anyone who simply attends and then applies nothing will fall back. Anyone who translates the insights gained straight into concrete actions at work will see a difference within a few weeks, both in their own workload and in colleagues' reactions.
How does this course compare with a coaching programme or a personal effectiveness programme lasting several months?
The Proactive Behaviour course is a compact classroom course (maximum 8 participants). In a short, intensive setting you work on concrete skills such as assertiveness, communication, giving feedback and anticipating with the Eisenhower model. An individual coaching programme often lasts 3 to 6 months and focuses on one person, with more room for deep-seated personal patterns. A longer personal effectiveness programme (for example 6 to) covers more themes, such as time management, leadership and stress management combined. Choose this course if you want to develop more proactive behaviour in a targeted way and practise in a group. Choose coaching for persistent personal blockages, and a longer programme if you want to work on personal effectiveness more broadly.
What does the Acting Proactively course cost and how long does it take?

You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.

Confirmed to run: Thu 12 & Thu 26 November 2026 in Zwolle, can also be followed online

This date already has enough participants. Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.

€ 1250,-excl. VAT · confirmed on Thu 12 Nov
Choose a date