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Beyond Technology: How Intrapreneurship Transforms Organizational Culture
Beyond Technology: How Intrapreneurship Transforms Organizational Culture

October 15, 2024

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Technology often takes the spotlight when discussing innovation in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. However, the recent Intrapreneurship Conclave emphasized a critical truth: innovation goes far beyond technological advancements. As organizations grapple with digital disruption, Intrapreneurship—an employee-driven approach to innovation—is quietly reshaping corporate culture.

During the Conclave, Puja Kohli, Founder and CEO of Unfold Consulting, introduced the theme ‘Re-Imagining Intrapreneurship in the Age of Disruption’ and stressed its relevance for organizations. True innovation is not confined to technology but is deeply rooted in culture—people's mindset and behaviours. This shift toward intrapreneurship allows organizations to foster an environment where employees feel empowered to drive change, not just in processes or products but in how the organization operates.

From Silos to Collaboration

In many organizations, the most significant barrier to innovation is not a lack of technology but a culture of silos. During a panel discussion at the recent Intrapreneurship Conclave, Manoj Nair, Business Head at Infosys BPM, shared an example of intrapreneurship and how it helped break down these barriers in his company. He highlighted a case where an innovative leader left a high-revenue role to build a digital business from scratch, now accounting for 40% of the company’s revenue. This was possible because the organization fostered a culture of collaboration and risk-taking.

Intrapreneurship shifts the focus from internal competition to cross-departmental collaboration. Employees no longer see themselves as confined to their roles or departments; instead, they are encouraged to share ideas, experiment, and work together to create holistic solutions. This transformation creates a culture where innovation becomes everyone's responsibility, not just the R&D teams'.

Fostering a Culture of Risk-Taking

One of the key insights from the Conclave was the need for organizations to nurture a culture of risk-taking. As R. Gopalakrishnan, former Executive Director of Tata Sons, pointed out in his keynote that innovation is not about being efficient but about being practical. He introduced the concept of "Dare to Try," a framework at Tata Group that encourages employees to embrace failure as part of the innovation journey.

When employees can take calculated risks without fearing failure, they are more likely to propose disruptive ideas. This cultural shift from risk aversion to risk acceptance is crucial for organizations looking to thrive in today’s unpredictable environment. It allows employees to explore new approaches, challenge existing norms, and pursue innovative solutions, all contributing to a dynamic and evolving organizational culture.

Leaders as Cultural Architects

An organization’s leadership plays a pivotal role in building and sustaining a culture of intrapreneurship. During the Conclave, the speakers emphasized that good leaders do not keep their vision to themselves but share it with their teams. They create a culture where employees are part of a larger mission, empowering them to align their personal goals with organizational objectives.

Intrapreneurial leaders act as cultural architects—they don’t just manage, they inspire. They give employees the tools, frameworks, and freedom to innovate within a well-defined vision. These leaders understand that for intrapreneurship to thrive, it must be deeply embedded into the organization’s values, mission, and day-to-day operations.

Driving Organizational Agility

In a world marked by rapid digital disruption, agility is more than a buzzword—it’s a survival tactic. During his keynote, Kamal Bali, President and MD of Volvo India, pointed out that organizations today need to "turn the ship at the speed of a yacht." This agility can only be achieved when employees are empowered to think like intrapreneurs.

Intrapreneurial cultures are inherently more agile because rigid hierarchies or processes do not bog them down. Instead, they foster a sense of ownership and autonomy, where employees can quickly respond to changes in the market, customer demands, or technological advancements. By cultivating this mindset, organizations become more responsive and adaptable, positioning themselves to survive and thrive in the age of disruption.

Final Word on the Role of Culture 

By empowering employees to think like entrepreneurs, Intrapreneurship impacts an organisation in two broad ways. The first and more obvious impact is that it accelerates the use and adoption of technology in building innovative solutions. The second but more long- lasting impact is on the org Culture which becomes the foundation for an organisation’s sustained success in a disruptive world.

It is a culture where we witness

  • Cross-departmental collaboration,
  • Employees not averse to risk-taking,
  • Inspiring leaders, and
  • Agility that is unhindered by rigid processes and hierarchies.

This article was originally published on Intrapreneurship Knowledge Hub (IKH) Community hosted by Unfold Consulting here:

https://community.intrapreneurshipknowledgehub.live/p/beyond-technology-how-intrapreneurship-transforms-organizational-culture-jkzgqkuyn82zn8xt?refBy=MzJkZjllMWM3Mw


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Unfold is a leading culture consulting firm specializing in fostering Inclusive, Intrapreneurial, and Future-ready workplaces. With over 8 years of experience, we excel in organizational development and change management, guiding clients to build winning cultures. Our capability development programs (like Inclusive Leadership, Allyship, Intrapreneurial DNA, Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring) and research services equip your team with the knowledge and insights they need to thrive. Through audits and assessments, we provide a clear picture of your current workplace culture and identify areas for improvement. Our team is particularly passionate about promoting intrapreneurship in India through initiatives like the Vanguard Awards, Intrapreneurship Conclave, certification program and a digital knowledge hub. Unfold has held 5 editions of Intrapreneurship Conclave and engaged with ~150 organizations till date. Overall, we guide you towards a more educated, engaged, and evolved workplace.

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