The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word GUMPTION
G
U
M
P
T
I
O
N
More clues leading to the result GUMPTION
- Nerve outing MP that’s unruly
- Doctor not sure cutting into wound is common sense
- To impugn criminal shows courage
- Face up quietly to embracing one Northern initiative
- Courage and instinct about politician no one backed
- Stick with point developed — that’s common sense
- Stick with revised point showing common sense
- Initiative to stick with small part, backing number one
- Character played by Hanks, Shakespearean lead lacking at heart common sense
- Ability to stick to point, perhaps
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "initiative" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case initiative = gumption.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
Crossword Answer definitions
GUMPTION noun- Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness.
- Boldness of enterprise; aggressiveness or initiative.
- Energy of body and mind, enthusiasm.