6 Traits Of Successful Intrapreneurs
Here at the Intrapreneur Alliance Journal, we’re always looking for inspiration for stories or ideas that would be useful to intrapreneurs in their journey. Recently, we came across this video from YouTube user about six traits that successful intrapreneurs posses:
While it was interesting to see these six traits, we wanted to dig a bit deeper into them. As it turns out, Viktoriya’s video is based on information from a Harvard Business Review article entitled “ Recognize Intrapreneurs Before They Leave “. We dug into that article to help explain the six traits outlined in that video for you.
Freedom To Act, Not Money, Is Their Motivation
Intrapreneurs are not coming up with great innovative ideas to help the company just because they think it will help them get more money. Yes, money can be a motivator to some, but the authors of the HBR article point out that “the primary motivation for intrapreneurs is influence with freedom.” What this means is that they want to know what they’re doing actually matters. They want to be recognized for what they’re doing, but not just with money. Knowing that they truly have a good idea and are given room to make their ideas reality is sometimes all they want. However, showing appreciation is welcomed, and that can also involve money as well.
Intrapreneurs Don’t Wait For Change, They Drive It
The real intrapreneurs in an organization are the people around you that are always trying to learn. They are constantly searching for new information about what the company is up to and outside information that can help achieve higher levels. Moving the company forward is always on their mind, and, as the authors of the HBR.. article say it,” they are not sitting around waiting for the world to change; they’re figuring out which part of the world is about to change, and they will arrive just in time to leverage their new insights. “
They Seed And Nourish Their Ideas Until Ready To Be Shown
As we’ve stated in previous articles, coming up with an intrapreneurial idea is only a small part of making change happen. The authors of the HBR article believe that true intrapreneurs don’t just go around blurting out their ideas as they come into their heads. Instead, they take time to cultivate them; research the problem, plan out how their idea can actually be implemented, figure out who it would be best to talk to about their idea, etc. This way, once they actually bring their idea to someone, they have the insights to shun off any naysayers and make sure their idea can actually go forward.
Intrapreneurs Visualize And Map Solutions
This trait reflects directly on the previous trait about growing an idea into something real. It seems that the authors of the article believe that a majority of intrapreneurs are visual thinkers and use this to flush out their ideas. They say that “visual thinking is a combination of brainstorming, mind mapping, and design thinking.”
In Turbulent Waters, They Find New Strategic Directions
The way this trait is laid out in the video makes it a bit harder to understand, but the authors of the HBR article make it clear by saying that intrapreneurs understand the importance of pivoting. Sometimes ideas don’t pan out the way they should, or new insights show that changing the course would wind up being beneficial to the idea. Not everyone can always see and accept that. Instead, they’re happy to just stay on the current course. But that isn’t always the wisest decision. The authors of the article say, “ it sounds scary and unfathomable to most mature organizations, although it’s often what is needed to resuscitate a dying company. “ True intrapreneurs can see the areas where pivoting is necessary and push that idea forward.
Intrapreneurs Are Authentic And Have The Utmost Integrity
The authors of the article said that the intrapreneurs they studied were both confident and humble at the same time. They say that intrapreneurs are not the mavericks “ often associated with successful corporate innovators. “ Instead, intrapreneurs “ exuded high self-awareness and sense of purpose. “ They know who they are and they know why they are doing the things they do, which closes the loop by bringing us back to recognizing their motivations.
Do you think these sound like traits that define true intrapreneurs? Is there anything else you would add to this list? Let us know in our Intrapreneur Alliance Facebook Group . If you’re not already a member, there’s no better time to join the community than now.
