The Entrepreneur Shortage

An organization that's struggling to innovate or grow just needs more entrepreneurs.

True entrepreneurs start businesses and inspire others to join them - but more than one can be harmful.

Entrepreneurs see opportunities and drive toward them with blind passion.  They often break rules and take risks others tell them to avoid.  They have energy that can burn them (an others) out.  Do you want that in your next Division Manager?

"Intrapreneurship" is an overused but useful term to describe what we really want from leaders within our businesses - the ability to borrow the passion, vision and energy of entrepreneurs along with their personal accountability for success while still being prepared to take instruction from others and work for the good of a whole organization, not just their unit.  To read more about Richard Branson's view on Intrapreneurs, click here.

The Development Obligation

Full employee engagement requires development of every employee to their maximum potential.

Money, time and opportunities are limited - identify high potential employees and invest heavily.

Don't be trapped into creating a company "school" or into sending everyone through training for the sake of equality.  Good employees who work hard but do not have potential for increasing their current contributions can still be engaged employees! 

Development is not a right of employment but at the same time it's not only those who are in training programs or career fast-tracks who can be engaged employees.  Look for other, less expensive ways to reward your core group of solid contributors.  Read more in the book The 1001 Rewards & Recognition Fieldbook found here.