Intrapreneurship: the power of change from within
In the fifth episode Roderick van der Meulen, lead consultant and manager at Relevance, discusses intrapreneurship. We are all familiar with entrepreneurship: setting up a business. However, Roderick stresses the importance of intrapreneurs. These are the changemakers within organizations, people who challenge the status quo of the companies they work for.
Through these mavericks, in the most positive sense, organizations thrive. Because change brings opportunities and possibilities. However, in order for intrapeneurs to blossom, organizations need to reinforce an open and safe learning culture. Intrapeneurship seems like a great collaboration between organizations and their employees.
Intrapreneurship – it may sound like a buzzword, but it’s rapidly becoming essential for organizations that want to innovate and stay relevant. In this episode of The Relevance Podcast, Roderick explains how organizations can empower employees to drive change from within.
Guests: Jim Morris (host) and Roderick van der Meulen (lead consultant and manager at Relevance).
“Intrapreneurship is about employees acting like entrepreneurs: the mavericks, change agents, and status quo challengers.”
It’s all about culture
Roderick was surprised to discover how deeply intrapreneurship is tied to other crucial topics like innovation, creativity, ownership, and customer centricity. But perhaps most importantly, it depends on a company’s learning culture.
“Intrapreneurship requires a culture where it’s okay to make mistakes,” Roderick explains. “Employees need the space to try, fail, and learn without fear of punishment.”
A growth mindset is key. As one manager told him: “When someone makes a mistake, I ask two questions: What did you learn? And what will you do differently next time?”
Why intrapreneurship matters
In a world that Roderick describes as “BARNEY” – brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible – innovation isn’t optional. Companies need employees who proactively spot opportunities, challenge the status quo, and create solutions.
Organizations can encourage intrapreneurship in three ways:
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The Enabler Model – Allow employees to spend 10-20% of their time on innovation.
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The Producer Model – Organize hackathons or “pressure cooker” events for rapid ideation.
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The Opportunist Model – Support individuals who take initiative, even without formal programs.
First steps for organizations
To nurture intrapreneurship, organizations must:
✅ Create psychological safety where experimentation is encouraged.
✅ Inspire ownership beyond day-to-day roles.
✅ Provide permission, time, and tools for innovation.
A powerful example? Starwood Hotels sent 700 managers to Paris to explore the city, gather inspiration, and return with 1,700 ideas for new products and services.
Roderick’s gift
Roderick recommends exploring www.kickbox.org, an open-source innovation framework developed by Adobe’s former VP. The platform offers templates, videos, and step-by-step guidance to kickstart intrapreneurship in any organization.
About The Relevance Podcast
The Relevance Podcast explores what it means for organizations and employees to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing world. Our diverse speakers share their expertise alongside personal stories and real-world case studies. Their insights offer practical tips for both your work and personal life – now and in the future.
Listen to more episodes on Spotify.
