Entrepreneurship
What Are the Similarities of an Entrepreneur and an Intrapreneur?
Oct 17, 2024
When I first heard the term "intrapreneur," I thought it sounded like a buzzword thrown around in corporate circles. But as I dug deeper, I realized intrapreneurs share many traits with entrepreneurs—and both roles are essential for driving innovation and growth. While their environments differ, the mindset, skills, and drive they bring to the table often overlap.
Let me break down the key similarities between these two roles and how understanding them can help you, whether you’re building a business or excelling within one.
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1. Visionary Thinking
Both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs have the ability to see the bigger picture. They identify opportunities where others see obstacles and turn ideas into action.
Example:
Consider Jeff Bezos creating Amazon from his garage—a classic entrepreneur identifying the future of e-commerce. Now think of Tony Fadell, who led the development of the iPod within Apple. Both recognized transformative opportunities and acted on them.
2. Problem-Solving Skills
Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs thrive on challenges. They approach problems with creativity and persistence, finding solutions where others see roadblocks.
Example:
Entrepreneurs like Sara Blakely, who invented Spanx, solve everyday problems for consumers. In contrast, intrapreneurs like Thomas Andersson at Volvo innovated seatbelt technology that revolutionized car safety—solving problems from within.
3. Risk-Taking
Both roles involve taking risks, though the stakes differ. Entrepreneurs risk their time, money, and resources to build something from scratch. Intrapreneurs, on the other hand, take calculated risks within their organizations, advocating for change and championing bold ideas.
Example:
Entrepreneurial risk: Elon Musk’s decision to invest heavily in Tesla and SpaceX.
Intrapreneurial risk: Google’s Paul Buchheit leading the development of Gmail despite internal skepticism.
4. Creativity and Innovation
Creativity is at the heart of both roles. Entrepreneurs launch disruptive solutions, while intrapreneurs innovate within established systems.
Example:
Entrepreneurs like Brian Chesky of Airbnb redefined how people travel. Meanwhile, intrapreneurs like Akio Morita at Sony turned the Walkman into a cultural phenomenon by thinking creatively within their companies.
5. Leadership and Influence
Both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs know how to inspire and mobilize others. Entrepreneurs build teams from the ground up, while intrapreneurs lead within corporate structures, rallying support for their projects.
Comparison: Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur
Backed by Data
Public data highlights the importance of both roles:
58% of businesses rely on intrapreneurship to drive innovation (Forbes).
Entrepreneurship accounts for the creation of over 70% of new jobs in the U.S. annually (Small Business Administration).
As Dale Carnegie aptly said, “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you identify as an entrepreneur shaping the world outside of a corporate structure or an intrapreneur driving change from within, the skills and mindset required are strikingly similar. Both paths require visionary thinking, creativity, and a drive to solve problems.
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