Essential Qualities found in Intrapreneurs

Dear friends, after an inspiring and knowledgeable week spent on studying Women Entrepreneurs in India, we now move to our next topic. This week, we bring you the study on Intrapreneurs. Named as Intrapreneurs Week Series, it will be really beneficial for all those to be Intrapreneurs, Entrepreneurs and Corporate People across various fields. Today, in our 1st part of the series, we write about the Essential Qualities found in Intrapreneurs.

The concept of intrapreneurship is one that has been around for some time, but it is one that is growing at quite a pace as organizations attempt to leverage and empower employees to create and innovate.

There are a few variations of the definition of an intrapreneur, for the purposes of our discussion we will use the following:

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Coined in the 1980s by management consultant Gifford Pinchot, intrapreneurs are used by companies that are in great need of new, innovative ideas. Today, instead of waiting until the company is in a bind, most companies try to create an environment where employees are free to explore ideas. If the idea looks profitable, the person behind it is given an opportunity to become an intrapreneur.

Here are the essential qualities that make a successful intrapreneur:

1. Passionate

Intrapreneurs have a passion for what they do and it will come across in their voice, body language and actions. Their passion inspires others to join them in their journey.

2. Determined

Intrapreneurs are aware that they will face obstacles and people will question their idea and their credibility. However they will have factored that into their journey and will appreciate that not everyone will believe in their ideas and vision.

3. Resourceful and networked

They know where to find help and get resources. Be it people with the right skill sets or connections, or finding the idle server, urgently needed tool, or budget, intrapreneurs show the value of their network and resourcefulness by using it appropriately.

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4. Adaptable

Intrapreneurs are flexible and able to harness their situation to their advantage. They use their creativity to respond to the changes around them. They will need to work within and around the constraints of their company’s internal protocols and procedures.

5. Results driven

Intrapreneurs need to focus on outcomes in order to start and complete tasks that will deliver the desired milestones. This requires the ability to execute ideas effectively and efficiently.

6. Diplomatic

Intrapreneurs aim to disrupt markets and industries instead of the people they work with and rely on.

7. Spot trends

Intrapreneurs have a keen sense for trends, for identifying those small or sometimes big signals that others would ignore. While others dismiss single incidents of breakthroughs and discoveries that will culminate in major disruptions, intrapreneurs keep a track of these incidents and start paying attention to them early.

8. Multi-talented / T-shaped

They often have knowledge and skills in many areas and combine them in their effort. We call this being T-shaped. While they have deep expertise in one area (the vertical bar in the T) they have broad and less deep knowledge in many other areas (the horizontal bar in the T).

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9. Not driven by monetary incentives

They are not doing it because a monetary reward is promised. After all, their salary is more secure if they do what they are being told, right? The reward is to make things happen and the world better.

10. Know how to pivot

They adapt not because of somebody tells them to stop, but because of product, service, or customer needs. While intrapreneurs are passionate about their idea, they know that the ultimate goal is to make the world better by helping customers. If they realize that the idea needs a pivot, even a painful one, they will follow through.

So these are the unmistakable traits that one could find inside successful intrapreneurs.

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