Business Buzzwords: Intrapreneur

I first read the term “Intrapreneur” in a Harvard Business Review article in 2020. Harvard Business Review or HBR is a perennial powerhouse in business buzzwords. Any number of HBR articles are sure to reveal a plethora of “deep dives” into “synergistic” “value add” terms for “brand purpose” and “hyper-personalization”. However, this article had me identifying with the term intrapreneur. Since then, I have been on the lookout for this buzzword, and I have come to identify myself as an intrapreneur, in part.

So what do the experts say are the characteristics of a intrapreneur? Below is a summary and response.

The experts say that intrapreneurs are innovative. You need to be a natural innovator and possess a creative mindset to identify new opportunities, challenge existing norms, and propose solutions to problems.

Am I innovative. You bet. Creativity has been a x-factor for my success. I readily identify new opportunities, and I am quick to map, plan, and propose solutions. Further, I am an early adopter and relish the opportunity to pilot new methods or technology. On the other side, I need to be use caution when innovating within a larger team. I need to ensure I am bringing along my colleagues at a pace that works for everyone. Moving at the speed of your team is crucial, and can be a big difference between a entrepreneur and a intrapreneur.

The experts say that intrapreneurs are risk takers. They understand that calculated risks are essential for driving change and pushing the boundaries of what's possible within the corporate structure.

Am I a risk-taker. Yes, but I wasn’t always that way. It is a skill I have developed over time. In fact, I’ve learned to take risk by evaluating inaction versus the benefits taking a chance. With experience, I now understand what level of certainty I need in order to take a leap of faith and swing big. Risk is now a central value and something that motivates me and provides meaning to my work.

The experts say that intrapreneurs are adaptable. In a rapidly changing business environment, adaptability is a key trait of intrapreneurs. They can navigate through uncertainties, learn quickly, and adjust their strategies to align with evolving market trends.

Am I adaptable? Absolutely. I find change and learning exciting. I reflect on my preference for agile project management that emphasizes flexibility, adaptability and iteration where the team simultaneously works on various aspects of the project. This can be contrasted to a waterfall approach that is more linear and steps are sequentially completed. For me, another hallmark of my adaptability is that I put time into scanning the environment, being curious, and nurturing my networks. This is so I might understanding emerging trends and identify best practices.

Like most buzzwords, the articles tend to look at one side of things. If I were to be devils advocate and critique my intrapreneurial self, I would remind myself to take a pause if I'm feeling impatient. Some organizations move slower others. From the perspective of a intrapreneur that pace could seem glacial. Understanding that in a corporate environment, the right innovation also requires the right timing to be successful. I manage this by being prepared to act when the time is right and taking comfort in my readiness. 

I would also remind myself to seek balance. Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs can get preoccupied and even lost in their work. I referenced finding flow and transcendence through work as a positive in an earlier article. I have been guilty of working through the night like when Jerry McGuire famously penned his mission statement. When passion and work align it is a beautiful thing. However, balance is key to long-term success.