In personal behaviour, initiative is the ability and tendency to initiate: to start an action, including coming up with a proposal and giving or helping without first being requested to do so.

The Dharma Initiative, a fictional organization from the television show Lost

"The Initiative", an episode of the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer

In political science, a popular or citizen's initiative is a process by which a referendum can be triggered by a petition of voters.

Initiative (Buffyverse), a fictional organization in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

In business, an initiative is a readiness to embark on a new venture.

In games such as chess and in military operations, "taking the initiative" means generating a series of threats to which the opponent must respond.

In role-playing games, initiative is a number which determines the order in which characters take actions, especially during combat

The Initiative refers to the Avengers: The Initiative comic book series from Marvel Comics