Could You Be Your Own Boss?

How often have you attended a meeting only to hear a new idea mentioned and lament, “I thought of that months ago”? The fact is that many employees have ideas on how to streamline company operations, or about new marketing strategies. But too often those ideas are not voiced because of a fear of rejection, or because of a high regard for the status quo.

If you are holding back your thoughts, you may be doing yourself and your company a disservice. Having a hand in how well the company does can increase your satisfaction with your job. It can also boost company profits--and that makes management happy.

In fact, many successful innovations have been introduced this way. Gifford Pinchot III, a management consultant in New Haven, Connecticut, coined the term “intrapreneur” to describe those responsible for such innovations. In his book, Intrapreneuring, Pinchot defines such a person as “the dreamer who introduces new or improved products, processes, and services in his or her company of employment.”

Could you be an intrapreneur? The following quiz may reveal the answer. Even if you don't have a paying job outside the home, consider what you do most (attend school, do volunteer work, etc.) and answer the questions as they relate to that activity. The same general principles apply.