Thanks Christina. I agree that intrapreneur reflects one thing we're trying to get to in a significant way. However, the word Intrapreneuring has been out there a long time. My friend Gifford Pinchot wrote a book on the subject at least 30 years ago. The fact that the word hasn't caught on in all this time suggests it's not going to, which in turn suggests that there's little benefit in defining ourselves this way. It's both too specific and too general- maybe that's the reason?
As I think about Creative Director- excellent- it makes me realize that one problem is the word Executive has come to signal status or standing as well as what a person actually does, which is execute ideas, put them into action. But Creative Executive sounds as if you're just trying to fancy up your title. Creative Actor suggests a theater background. And Creative Operator could easily mean something illegal.
Wonderful Diana, all of these are important to bear in mind when trying to build a new language of work. I especially like the idea of bringing back Comrades, now that it's been shorn of its Communist party associations. Like Solidarity, another word I've been trying to bring back, it deserves being retrofitted for a new era.
And you're so right about how we increasingly build our identities through workplace affiliation, which is supplanting religious, regional, and community identity as the world grows more global. The first time I became aware of this was in the late 60s when people who worked there routinely referred to themselves as IBMers.
All of these make sense. But the first one probably feels a bit awkward to say, esp to friends and family. You can almost hear your brother or college roommate replying, What's that supposed to mean?
However, the word associate is important to this conversation.
We usually use Associate to refer to a somewhat more junior person in a partnership firm, such as law. But there's no reason to define it narrowly, especially as rigidly defined structures break down.
Oh Sally! I have been on a search for nomenclature as well! I have been combing through research trying to find something that describes a person in a leadership role (or of influence) who is a bridge between ideation or inventiveness and day to day operations. Someone who could not only effectively work and communicate in both spaces, but who can see how and when they integrate. Creative Director is close, but is also used in Marketing/Branding areas; Innovation Technologist leans more in the IT space. The closest I’ve found is Intrapreneur - but to say I support them or expect people to seek me out searching for that feels nonexistent.
Hi Sally, I LOVE this conversation! Collaborators, comrades (believing in a common cause), contributors? No perfect word, which is why Google has it's Googlers and why people in my Future Proof community call themselves Future Proofers. We build our identity by affiliations. But I would love to help you build some interesting archtypes of future workers.
Associated value creators? Extempore entrepreneurs? Informal impresarios?
Thanks Christina. I agree that intrapreneur reflects one thing we're trying to get to in a significant way. However, the word Intrapreneuring has been out there a long time. My friend Gifford Pinchot wrote a book on the subject at least 30 years ago. The fact that the word hasn't caught on in all this time suggests it's not going to, which in turn suggests that there's little benefit in defining ourselves this way. It's both too specific and too general- maybe that's the reason?
As I think about Creative Director- excellent- it makes me realize that one problem is the word Executive has come to signal status or standing as well as what a person actually does, which is execute ideas, put them into action. But Creative Executive sounds as if you're just trying to fancy up your title. Creative Actor suggests a theater background. And Creative Operator could easily mean something illegal.
Much to ponder! Grateful for your comment.
Wonderful Diana, all of these are important to bear in mind when trying to build a new language of work. I especially like the idea of bringing back Comrades, now that it's been shorn of its Communist party associations. Like Solidarity, another word I've been trying to bring back, it deserves being retrofitted for a new era.
And you're so right about how we increasingly build our identities through workplace affiliation, which is supplanting religious, regional, and community identity as the world grows more global. The first time I became aware of this was in the late 60s when people who worked there routinely referred to themselves as IBMers.
A shift in the nature of tribalism.
All of these make sense. But the first one probably feels a bit awkward to say, esp to friends and family. You can almost hear your brother or college roommate replying, What's that supposed to mean?
However, the word associate is important to this conversation.
We usually use Associate to refer to a somewhat more junior person in a partnership firm, such as law. But there's no reason to define it narrowly, especially as rigidly defined structures break down.
Oh Sally! I have been on a search for nomenclature as well! I have been combing through research trying to find something that describes a person in a leadership role (or of influence) who is a bridge between ideation or inventiveness and day to day operations. Someone who could not only effectively work and communicate in both spaces, but who can see how and when they integrate. Creative Director is close, but is also used in Marketing/Branding areas; Innovation Technologist leans more in the IT space. The closest I’ve found is Intrapreneur - but to say I support them or expect people to seek me out searching for that feels nonexistent.
Hi Sally, I LOVE this conversation! Collaborators, comrades (believing in a common cause), contributors? No perfect word, which is why Google has it's Googlers and why people in my Future Proof community call themselves Future Proofers. We build our identity by affiliations. But I would love to help you build some interesting archtypes of future workers.
Perhaps others have some good ideas of names?