In the old days you would set up a business, the company grew bigger and at some point, you needed people to carry out your business plan.
A world that is rapidly changing requires a different approach… people ARE your business. Especially when you’re in a corporate organisation where it is substantially more difficult to adjust to constant change.
Different needs
The traditional hierarchy may be mostly behind us. The dominant managers who determine your every move and day are becoming outnumbered these days. Overall people are treated cordially and are appreciated for the work they (are supposed to) do. With the advent of the new way of working, boundaries are blurred between work and life. This automatically leads to the necessity to have more attention for the person behind the employee, the person as a whole.
But then we are doing it right. Right?
Well, I am not talking about being nice to your employees so they will be good to your customers and therefore your business. Although I believe this to be true. That’s not enough.
Besides the increasing need for job satisfaction and job pleasure, people are longing to make (social) impact by using their own personal talents. They want to make a difference in their own organisation and beyond.
And they can. You have to realise they are the ears and eyes of the organisation. They see what the world and your customers need way before you do. They know how your organisation operates. Therefore they know best where the points of improvement are.
In the end, it’s all about meeting needs. Needs of the customers and needs of your employees.
So what do employees need?
– For every employee with a dream or a vision:
Believe in it so much, that it has no choice but to materialize and come true –
Beyond happiness
Happiness at work has gained importance over the last years. With a lot of jobs to choose from in the current labour market and work being such a big part of your day, you better pick a job that makes you happy. In general, there are a few basics for job satisfaction which apply to the majority of people: autonomy, relationships/connections with others, meaning and satisfaction, vitality and income (although to a certain extent). If all goes well, money comes naturally when you put your talents to work. It is not a driver in itself. Emphasis is more on self-development and being inspired by your work.
Another thing we see more and more is the wish for variety. This is not only reserved for young people who start their working career now. Variety not being in one specific function but in doing different jobs at the same time. Hybrid jobs so to speak.
This calls for employers to be more flexible and creative in providing more customised jobs.
The same goes for the employee.
Job crafting or job engineering will become more common in smart organizations.
We have to find our own way in this new dynamic labour market, reinvent ourselves on different levels. This requires new assets. Intrapreneurial skills are becoming a necessity. Most of us didn’t learn this in school. Luckily, however, you can train and gradually learn this. Existing intrapreneurs also prove to be inspiring to others.
You could say that intrapreneurs generate more intrapreneurs.
Cultivating your intrapreneurs
An intrapreneur is an employee who creates the freedom and (financial) space to develop new products and services and who is not obliged to follow the usual routines and business protocols. I am convinced that enabling and cultivating your intrapreneurs opens up a whole new world of potential.
Being an intrapreneur is a mindset. Intrapreneurs look for possibilities. They know (the strategy of) the company and take initiative. Driven by the purpose they see the big picture. And above all, they can adjust quickly when something doesn’t seem to work out. One of the advantages of cultivating an intrapreneurial culture is the increase of knowledge and innovation. Besides that, it contributes to a bigger loyalty towards the organisation.
The list of upsides for employer and employee seems endless;
Freedom, energy, vitality, creativity, new possibilities, better results, development and growth and happiness!
How do you cultivate your intrapreneurs?
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