Embarking on a journey that blends innovation, resilience, and corporate acumen, “The Adventure of Becoming an Intrapreneur” opens doors to a captivating realm where individuals within established organizations transform into daring entrepreneurs. As intrepid pioneers within the corporate landscape, intrapreneurs leverage their creative ingenuity, breaking conventional boundaries, and igniting a spirit of change to drive forward novel ideas, products, and processes. This introduction unravels the exhilarating odyssey of those who dare to embrace risk, challenge the status quo, and navigate the intricacies of the corporate world to spearhead transformative ventures from within.

Who is an Intrapreneur?

An intrapreneur is an individual within a company who exhibits entrepreneurial traits and behaviors while operating within organizational boundaries. In essence, they embody the spirit of an entrepreneur while working as an employee. Intrapreneurs are driven by innovation, creativity, and a desire to bring positive change and growth to their company. They proactively identify new opportunities, take calculated risks, and develop innovative solutions to challenges. 

Intrapreneurs often exhibit strong leadership skills, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. They thrive in environments that encourage autonomy and support their initiatives, fostering a culture of experimentation and learning within the organization. An intrapreneurial journey entails navigating corporate structures, overcoming resistance to change, and persevering to transform ideas into tangible outcomes, ultimately driving both personal and organizational success.

The imposter syndrome that comes with intrapreneurship

Intrapreneurship can be an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities for growth and innovation. However, along this adventurous path, intrapreneurs often encounter the imposter syndrome—a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments, fear being exposed as frauds, and struggle with a persistent sense of inadequacy. Within the context of intrapreneurship, this syndrome can manifest in four distinct ways:

1. The Achievement Doubter

Intrapreneurs experiencing this aspect of imposter syndrome find it challenging to internalize and acknowledge their achievements. Despite their significant contributions to projects and initiatives, they tend to attribute success to external factors or luck rather than recognizing their skills and hard work. The Achievement Doubter constantly fears that they are just “getting lucky” and that their accomplishments are not genuinely deserved.

2. The Idea Underestimator

This form of imposter syndrome affects intrapreneurs who underestimate the value and uniqueness of their innovative ideas. They may believe that their ideas are not groundbreaking enough or that others within the organization could have thought of the same concepts. As a result, they may hesitate to share their ideas openly or fail to pursue them vigorously, leading to missed opportunities for growth and progress.

3. The Skill Comparator

Intrapreneurs grappling with the Skill Comparator imposter syndrome constantly compare their abilities to those of their colleagues and peers. They often perceive others as more skilled, knowledgeable, or competent, even in areas where they excel. This self-comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and hinder their confidence in taking on new challenges or responsibilities.

4. The Expertise Faker

The Expertise Faker feels like they are “faking it” in their role as an intrapreneur, regardless of their expertise or experience. Despite possessing valuable skills and knowledge, they fear they will be exposed as frauds if they make a mistake or encounter a difficult problem. This fear can lead to excessive self-doubt, reluctance to take risks, and an overall negative impact on their intrapreneurial journey.

Conclusion

Embarking on the adventure of becoming an intrapreneur is a transformative journey that offers an array of opportunities and challenges within the corporate landscape. As intrapreneurs, individuals possess the unique ability to foster innovation, drive positive change, and spearhead new initiatives from within an established organization. This entrepreneurial spirit, combined with the resources and support of the company, allows for the pursuit of groundbreaking ideas while mitigating some of the risks typically associated with traditional entrepreneurship. 

The process of intrapreneurship fosters personal growth, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and nurtures a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately contributing to the long-term success and competitiveness of both the intrapreneur and the company as a whole.