I recently sat down to have a chat with my mystery guest about a topic close to my heart – INTRAPRENEURIALISM. I love asking questions and getting others’ perspectives so found this interview very instructive – thought I’d share it with my network.

What is an intrapreneur?

An intrapreneur is someone who is an entrepreneur within a larger organization. They are innovative and take risks to drive change and improve the organization from within. Intrapreneurs often take ownership of their projects and work independently to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems. They are often self-motivated and willing to take on challenges to bring new products, services, or processes to life within the organisation.

Why do organisations need intrapreneurs?

Organizations need intrapreneurs because they bring an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset to the organization. This can help the organization to adapt and stay competitive in a rapidly changing business environment. Intrapreneurs can help to drive change and introduce new ideas and ways of doing things that can improve the organization’s performance and help it to achieve its goals. They can also help to foster a culture of innovation and risk-taking within the organization, which can lead to new opportunities and growth. Additionally, intrapreneurs can help to engage and motivate employees, who may be energized by the opportunity to take on new challenges and be part of driving change within the organization.

How do you identify an intrapreneur?

There are several characteristics that can help to identify an intrapreneur within an organization. For example, they are:

  • Proactive and take initiative, rather than waiting for direction from others
  • Innovative and come up with new ideas and solutions to problems
  • Willing to take risks and experiment with new approaches
  • Self-motivated and work independently to drive their projects forward
  • Passionate about their work and are committed to achieving their goals
  • Open to feedback and are willing to adapt and learn from their mistakes
  • Good communicators and can effectively share their ideas and plans with others
  • Able to build relationships and work well with others to achieve their goals

Are there any disadvantages to being an intrapreneur?

While there are many advantages to being an intrapreneur, there can also be some disadvantages. One potential disadvantage is that intrapreneurs may face resistance from within the organization, as they are trying to drive change and introduce new ideas that may be seen as disruptive. Additionally, intrapreneurs may face challenges in getting the resources and support they need to bring their ideas to fruition, as they may have to compete with other projects and priorities within the organization. Furthermore, being an intrapreneur can be stressful and demanding, as they are often working on their own and have to take on a lot of responsibility for their projects. This can lead to burnout and other personal challenges if not managed properly.

Can you learn to be an intrapreneur?

Yes, it is possible to learn to be an intrapreneur. While some people may have natural inclinations towards entrepreneurship and innovation, these skills and qualities can also be developed and cultivated. There are many resources and training programs available that can help individuals to develop the skills and mindset needed to be an effective intrapreneur. For example, these could include courses on entrepreneurship, innovation, project management, and leadership, among others. Additionally, individuals can learn by observing and working with successful intrapreneurs, and by taking on new challenges and projects that allow them to develop their skills and experience.

What is the relationship between intrapreneurialism and leadership?

The relationship between intrapreneurialism and leadership is a close one, as effective leadership is often essential for fostering a culture of innovation and enabling intrapreneurs to thrive within an organization. Good leaders can provide support, resources, and guidance to intrapreneurs, and help them to overcome obstacles and challenges. They can also help to create an environment that encourages risk-taking and experimentation, and that rewards innovation and success. Additionally, leaders can play a role in mentoring and developing intrapreneurs, and in helping them to grow and advance within the organization. Overall, the relationship between intrapreneurialism and leadership is one of collaboration and support, where the skills and abilities of both are needed to drive innovation and success.

What is the difference between intrapreneurialism and innovation?

The main difference between intrapreneurialism and innovation is that intrapreneurialism refers to the mindset, behaviors, and activities of individuals within an organization who act as entrepreneurs, while innovation refers to the development and implementation of new ideas, products, or processes. Intrapreneurialism involves taking ownership of projects and driving change within the organization, while innovation involves coming up with new ideas and ways of doing things that can improve the organization’s performance. In other words, intrapreneurialism is about the individual, while innovation is about the ideas and solutions that the individual creates. While they are related, intrapreneurialism and innovation are distinct concepts, and both are important for driving success and growth within an organization

Meet ChatGPT! It is a prototype A.I. chatbot developed by OpenAI which taking the world by storm.

What has amazed me is the quality and coherence of the language.

I made NO edits at all to this text.

I have recently been investigating and experimenting with the use of AI as a writing assistant for saving time.  In fact, the blog I wrote last month for the Global Intrapreneurs Institute “Constant Change Creates Challenges for Leaders” was partially generated by AI. You can read it here.But the original text was quite poor quality and repetitive and needed much editing and reworking (but nonetheless did save some time). By contrast the ChatGPT text is sophisticated and fluid with a coherent and complex sentence structure (generated in about 5 seconds) that needed no reworking to sound like my ‘voice’. It’s a gamechanger!