You’re sitting in a meeting. Everyone is looking at you because you just said we need to "initiate" the new marketing phase. It sounds fine, right? It’s professional. It’s safe. But honestly, it’s also incredibly boring. Using the word "initiate" over and over makes you sound like a project management software instead of a leader. Words have weight. When you choose the right ones, you aren't just starting a task; you’re setting a vibe.
Words matter.
Finding other words for initiating isn't just about being a walking thesaurus. It’s about clarity. If you tell a developer to "initiate" a sequence, they might think of a technical trigger. If you tell a creative director to "initiate" a campaign, they might wait for a formal document that never comes. The nuance between "launching," "triggering," and "spearheading" is the difference between a team that’s excited and a team that’s confused.
The Problem With Corporate Speak
We’ve all been there. The "synergy" and "moving the needle" crowd loves the word initiate. It’s vague. It doesn't commit to a specific action. According to the Harvard Business Review, clarity in communication is one of the biggest predictors of project success. When you use vague verbs, you create "action debt." That's when people spend more time asking what you meant than actually doing the work.
Stop being vague.
If you’re starting a fire, you don't "initiate" it; you ignite it. If you’re starting a race, you "kick it off." Why do we lose that descriptive power the moment we step into an office or open a Slack channel? We get scared of sounding too casual. But being casual—or at least being specific—is how you actually get people to move.
Better Ways to Say You’re Starting Something
Let’s look at some alternatives that actually mean something.
Kick off. This is the gold standard for projects. It implies a team effort. It feels like a beginning. Think of a football game. You don't "initiate" a game; you kick off. It’s high energy. It’s collaborative. Use this when you want people to feel like they’re part of a unit.
Spearhead. This is a power word. If you are spearheading an initiative, you are the tip of the arrow. You’re taking the hits and leading the charge. It’s perfect for resumes and performance reviews. It shows leadership. It’s not just "I started this"; it’s "I am responsible for the success of this."
Maybe you want to sound more technical. Trigger or Activate. These are binary. Something was off, and now it is on. There is no middle ground. In software development or automated marketing, these words are king. They imply a system is now in motion.
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- Launch: Best for products or public-facing events. It implies a trajectory.
- Commence: Use this if you want to sound like a 19th-century judge or if you’re at a graduation. It’s formal. Use it sparingly.
- Pioneer: This means you’re doing something nobody has done before. It’s bold.
- Inaugurate: Usually reserved for buildings or presidents, but it works for a big new office opening.
The Psychology of Language in Leadership
Changing your vocabulary changes how people perceive your authority. Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, a renowned psychologist at UC Irvine, has spent decades studying how specific word choices can literally change people’s memories and reactions. While her work often focuses on legal contexts, the principle applies to the boardroom. If you "instigate" a change, it sounds slightly rebellious, maybe even a bit dangerous. If you "institute" a change, you sound like the establishment.
Context is everything.
If I’m talking to a startup founder, I’m never going to tell them to "initiate" a Series A funding round. I’ll tell them to trigger it or jumpstart it. Those words imply urgency. They imply that there is a spark needed. "Initiate" sounds like you’re filling out paperwork in a basement. It’s slow.
When "Initiating" Is Actually the Wrong Word Entirely
Sometimes we use "initiating" when we actually mean we’re continuing something. This is a common trap. You might say you’re "initiating the next phase," but if the project is already rolling, you’re actually escalating or transitioning.
Think about the momentum.
If a project is stalled and you’re the one getting it moving again, "initiate" is a lie. You are revitalizing it. You are reigniting it. Using the word "initiate" ignores the previous failure, which can frustrate a team that’s been struggling. Acknowledge the history. If you use reboot, people know exactly what’s happening. They know the old version is dead and the new one is starting.
Industry-Specific Flavors
Different industries have their own secret languages. In the legal world, you institute proceedings. You don't "start" them. In the arts, you might mount a production. In construction, you break ground.
Why does this matter?
Because it shows you’re an insider. If you go onto a construction site and talk about "initiating the foundation phase," the foreman is going to roll his eyes. You say, "When are we breaking ground?" It shows you know the culture. It builds rapport.
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In the tech world, we deploy. We roll out. We ship. These words are visceral. They imply that the code is leaving the safety of the local environment and hitting the real world. "Initiating a release" sounds like something a robot says in a sci-fi movie. "Shipping the build" sounds like you’re actually getting stuff done.
The Resume Trap: Why You Should Delete "Initiated"
If I see the word "initiated" on a resume one more time, I might scream. Every single candidate "initiated a new filing system" or "initiated a team meeting." It’s a filler word. It tells me nothing about your actual impact.
Replace it with something that proves value.
Did you originate the idea? That means you’re a creator. Did you orchestrate the event? That means you’re a manager who handles complex moving parts. Did you implement the strategy? That means you’re a doer who follows through.
Other words for initiating on a resume should focus on the result, not just the beginning.
- Authored: Used for reports, white papers, or new policies.
- Conceived: Used for the very first spark of an idea.
- Established: Used for something that is meant to last, like a new department.
- Founded: The ultimate "initiate" for businesses or organizations.
- Sparked: Great for showing how you influenced a change in culture or a sudden increase in sales.
How to Choose the Right Word Right Now
So, you’re writing an email. You’re about to type "I’m initiating the..." Stop. Take a breath. Look at what you’re actually doing.
Is it a creative project? Use conceive or produce.
Is it a difficult conversation? Use broach. (You don't "initiate" a topic; you broach it).
Is it a technical process? Use execute.
Is it a social movement? Use mobilize.
The "vibes" of these words are vastly different. Mobilize sounds like an army is moving. Broach sounds delicate, like you’re testing the waters. Execute sounds final and precise.
The Nuance of "Set in Motion"
Sometimes, you aren't the one doing the work; you’re the one who pushes the first domino. In this case, set in motion or catalyzed are your best friends. These words acknowledge that you aren't the whole engine—you’re just the key in the ignition.
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It’s a humble way to show leadership.
It says, "I started this, but now it’s a living thing that the team is carrying." In a world of ego-driven leadership, saying you catalyzed a change is a sophisticated way to take credit while also empowering everyone else.
Actionable Steps for Better Communication
If you want to stop relying on "initiate" and start sounding like a person people actually want to follow, here is what you do:
First, audit your most recent emails. Search for the word "initiate" or "start." See how many times they appear. If it’s more than twice in an email, you’re being lazy.
Second, match the verb to the stakes. If the project is worth a million dollars, don't just "start" it. Inaugurate it. Make it feel big. If it’s a quick fix, knock it out.
Third, use metaphors. Business is full of sports and war metaphors for a reason—they work. Kick off, spearhead, frontline, game-plan. These words create a mental image. "Initiate" creates a blank screen.
Finally, read it out loud. If you say "I am initiating the process" out loud, you sound like a drone. If you say "I'm getting the ball rolling," you sound like a human.
Go through your current project list. For every task that hasn't started yet, pick a specific, high-energy verb to describe how you will begin. Don't just list them. Write down exactly what that "start" looks like. If you're "launching," who is the audience? If you're "triggering," what is the mechanical step?
Stop initiating. Start doing. Get specific, be bold with your word choices, and watch how people suddenly start paying more attention to what you say.
Next Steps for You:
Take your current project proposal or your "In Progress" list. Replace every instance of "initiate" or "start" with one of the industry-specific or high-impact verbs we discussed. Watch how the tone of your document shifts from passive to active immediately. Focus specifically on the "Spearheaded" vs. "Orchestrated" distinction to clarify your personal role in the work.