What on Earth is an Intrapreneur?

A few years back, I was approached by a large organisation to design a training programme for their team to boost morale and help them to think differently. It had to be something unique, and it led me to analyse what I did during my career which made me, and a handful of others, top performers. Not the yo-yos, who would hit one and miss one. But what made us so consistent in our success?

This is where my interest in intrapreneurship was born.

The term "intrapreneur" was coined in the 1980s (I know, I thought it was a new concept too) by an entrepreneur called Gifford Pinchot III. It refers to an employee who takes on the role of an entrepreneur within a larger organisation.

An intrapreneur is someone who spots those new opportunities and challenges within their company, then acts upon them with pure innovation and drive. Intrapreneurs have a passion for the organisation they work for, and consistently want to grow and implement new procedures.

I absolutely LOVE intrapreneurship, and am always looking for new ways to help businesses adopt an intrapreneurial outlook within their teams. Many business owners don’t realise that they have intrapreneurs in their organisation, so without further ado…

Welcome to the ultimate guide to identifying intrapreneurship.

Intrapreneurs are risk takers:

If you're an intrapreneur, there's a good chance that you've been accused of being a risk taker. But here's the truth: Risk-taking is one of your most valuable traits.

Think about it for a minute—if you're not willing to take risks, how can you EVER expect to make any sort of progress? You'll be stuck in a neverending rut if you don't step out of your comfort zone and try new things. (I’ll touch on this further in a future article)?

I know what you are thinking…?

It is called a ‘Risk’ for a reason Alison… It’s RISKY!!

Well, it's all part of being an intrapreneur; remember that failure isn't always bad! Mistakes are usually the best lesson for us, never let them put you off. We can learn and grow from every mistake that we make and ultimately, that is what fuels the change.

‘To try and to fail’ is better than never trying at all to an intrapreneur.

They’re willing to take the risks associated with changing the status quo, which is why they thrive in organisations that reward employees for being brave and innovative thinkers. In my experience, all great entrepreneurs were given opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them at the start of their careers, and employers owe that to their employees if they want to foster intrapreneurship within their teams.

Innovation is key:

Intrapreneurs are innovative. They not only have new ideas, but also the ability to flip those ideas into reality. They are creative thinkers who want to make things better for their team, their organisation and of course, themselves.

They see the world through the lense of opportunity—and sometimes that’s what is needed to come up with an idea that will push your company forward. Intrapreneurs don't mind thinking outside of the box because they know there's an opportunity out there somewhere! They also aren't afraid to ask for help, and know when they need support from others in their network.

Challenge the norm:

You know that employee who is always questioning processes and procedures? They are probably an intrapreneur. Intrapreneurs don't just take ‘no’ for an answer, instead they take the time to understand exactly why a certain approach is taking place.?

You value innovation and new ideas over backlash or failure. You aren't afraid to challenge existing rules and regulations and you see much further than the SOP’s.?

For an intrapreneur, this comes from a place of genuine care and passion for the organisation they’re working in. They always want to strive for more, and that’s what makes them so successful.?

Take responsibility:

Being an intrapreneur means that you are willing to take responsibility. This can be a difficult thing for people who have a hard time taking responsibility for their actions in general.?

Intrapreneurs often find their ideas and solutions through exploration and research, digging deeper into those day-to-day dramas in order to develop the best game plan possible. And they most definitely aren't afraid of sharing their knowledge with those around them.

If you’re an intrapreneur, it's important not only to take personal responsibility but to also acknowledge those wee areas where you might fall short—and find ways to improve on them on your own terms instead of letting them get in your way.

The glass is half full:

If you are reading this article thinking ‘I know an intrapreneur!!’? then chances are that they are also a glass-half-full kind of person. They believe in their ideas and talents and wear them with PRIDE! Intrapreneurs are fully focussed on what the future holds and what they can bring to the party. While this can be empowering, it also comes with its drawbacks: being optimistic about the future means that sometimes they might not always be prepared for - or worse, recognize - the challenges ahead.?

Another fact about an intrapreneur? They are not afraid to fail; in fact, failure is inevitable if you're going to take lots of risks! The key to an intrapreneurial mindset is deciding whether or not those risks are worth taking—and how much they'll cost if they don't pan out as planned.

So are you an intrapreneur? Or if you are a business owner, do you think you have intrapreneurs already working in your organisation? I know I certainly do.

But this is just the start. Sure you can want intrapreneurs all you want - who wouldn't want mini entrepreneurs running around their organisation and creating innovation every day? You as a business owner have a responsibility to create a ‘fertile soil’ to help those intrapreneurs flourish. I'll be speaking about how you can create those foundations in a future article.

If you enjoyed this article then you may be pleased to hear that this is the day job for me! I am super passionate about helping organisations find out exactly what works for them. If you are interested in finding out more about what I offer and how I can help you foster an intrapreneurial culture into your organisation, download my brochure right here.