Intrapreneurship: We Don't Have A Process For That!

“Ask forgiveness, not permission” means doing the appropriate thing even if you don't have any backing. It's not about being reckless, but about knowing when to push the envelope. It's about not waiting for anyone's approval to do the things you need to do in order to drive progress.

Check out this great video by Simon Sinek talking about "not following process"!

Intrapreneurship is the practice of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within an existing organization.

Intrapreneurs are employees who act like entrepreneurs, pursuing new ideas, products, or services that can create value for the organization and its customers. Intrapreneurs have some of the defining qualities of entrepreneurs, such as creativity, initiative, risk-taking, and resilience, but they also have the advantage of working within a supportive and resourceful environment.

Intrapreneurship can benefit both the individual and the organization, as it can lead to personal growth, career advancement, increased motivation, and improved performance, as well as organizational growth, competitive advantage, customer satisfaction, and social impact. I wanted to explore some of the key aspects of intrapreneurship and how you can become an intrapreneur in your workplace.

Every company has its own set of rules, policies and culture that govern how employees should behave and perform their tasks.

These rules are usually designed to ensure the quality, safety, efficiency and reputation of the company and its products or services. However, sometimes these rules may seem too rigid, outdated, irrelevant or impractical for certain situations or employees. In such cases, some employees may choose to follow or break the internal company rules, depending on their personal judgment, preferences and goals.

The following are some thoughts on the pros and cons of following or breaking the internal company rules in business.

Pros of following the internal company rules:

- Following the internal company rules can demonstrate your loyalty, commitment and professionalism to your employer and colleagues. You can show that you respect the authority and vision of the company and that you are willing to abide by its standards and expectations.

- Following the internal company rules can also help you avoid potential conflicts, penalties or legal issues that may arise from breaking them. You can protect yourself and the company from any negative consequences or liabilities that may result from violating the rules.

- Following the internal company rules can also enhance your performance and productivity, as you can benefit from the best practices, guidelines and procedures that the company has established. You can also avoid wasting time or resources on trying to find alternative or creative solutions that may not work or be approved by the company.

Cons of following the internal company rules:

- Following the internal company rules can sometimes limit your creativity, innovation and flexibility in your work. You may feel constrained by the rules and unable to express your unique ideas, talents or perspectives that could benefit the company or your customers.

- Following the internal company rules can also reduce your autonomy, motivation and satisfaction in your work. You may feel bored, frustrated or unfulfilled by doing the same things in the same ways as everyone else, without having any input or influence on how things are done.

- Following the internal company rules can also make you less competitive or adaptable in a changing market or environment. You may miss out on new opportunities, trends or challenges that require you to think outside the box or act differently from the norm.

Pros of breaking the internal company rules:

- Breaking the internal company rules can allow you to unleash your creativity, innovation and flexibility in your work. You can explore new possibilities, experiment with different approaches or solutions, and express your unique ideas, talents or perspectives that could benefit the company or your customers.

- Breaking the internal company rules can also increase your autonomy, motivation and satisfaction in your work. You can feel more empowered, engaged and fulfilled by doing things in your own way, according to your own judgment, preferences and goals.

- Breaking the internal company rules can also make you more competitive or adaptable in a changing market or environment. You can seize new opportunities, respond to new trends or challenges, and differentiate yourself from others who follow the same rules.

Cons of breaking the internal company rules:

- Breaking the internal company rules can damage your loyalty, commitment and professionalism to your employer and colleagues. You can show that you disrespect the authority and vision of the company and that you are not willing to abide by its standards and expectations.

- Breaking the internal company rules can also expose you to potential conflicts, penalties or legal issues that may arise from breaking them. You can harm yourself and the company from any negative consequences or liabilities that may result from violating the rules.

- Breaking the internal company rules can also impair your performance and productivity, as you can risk losing the best practices, guidelines and procedures that the company has established. You can also waste time or resources on trying to find alternative or creative solutions that may not work or be approved by the company.

Ultimately “If you avoid the conflict to keep the peace, you start a war inside yourself.”

Many people encounter situations in their daily lives where they witness something that is wrong, unfair or inefficient. They may feel angry, frustrated or helpless, but they often choose to ignore it or avoid it. They may think that it is not their problem, or that someone else will take care of it, or that they have no power to change it. However, I believe that this is a mistake. I believe that if you see an injustice, inefficiency or problem, it is your moral responsibility to address it.

Why do I say that? Because by addressing the issue, you are not only helping yourself, but also others who may be affected by it. You are also contributing to the improvement of the society and the world that you live in. You are showing that you care, that you have values and principles, and that you are willing to act on them. You are setting an example for others to follow, and inspiring them to do the same.

How can you address the issue? There are many ways, depending on the nature and the scale of the problem. You can speak up, write a letter, sign a petition, join a protest, file a complaint, report a violation, contact a representative, start a campaign, create a solution, or any other action that you think is appropriate and effective. The important thing is to do something, rather than nothing.

Of course, addressing the issue may not be easy. You may face resistance, opposition, criticism, rejection, or even threats. You may have to sacrifice your time, money, energy, or comfort. You may have to deal with uncertainty, risk, or failure. But these challenges should not stop you from doing what is right. They should motivate you to overcome them and achieve your goal.

Remember that you are not alone. There are many people who share your vision and your values. There are many people who are willing to support you and join you in your cause. There are many people who will appreciate your efforts and celebrate your success. You just have to find them and connect with them.

So next time you see an injustice, inefficiency or problem, don't look away or walk away. Look at it and face it. Don't think that it is none of your business or beyond your control. Think that it is your moral responsibility and within your reach. Don't wait for someone else to do something about it.

Be the one who does something about it.

Image by Filmbetrachter from Pixabay