In the absence of clear instructions, she took the initiative and restructured the team to boost efficiency.

took 是动词 take 的过去式，take 的基本意思是"拿、采取"。 the 是定冠词，用于特指某个事物或概念。 initiative 来自拉丁语 initium（开始），加上后缀 -ative 构成名词，指"主动性、首创精神"。 take the initiative 是固定搭配，意思是"采取主动、主动行动"。