Intrapreneurship Game on Business Board – Human Resources

On the dynamic board of the business world, where every step counts, intrapreneurship emerges as an essential piece of corporate triumph(s): achieving “corporate checkmate” means riding the waves of opportunity, in a dynamic of constant monitoring and breaking down obstacles. From selection to verification.

Written by Rita Oliveira Bilica, CEO Energy at ONYOU and Portugal Catalyst – Association of Intrapreneurs

I learned to play chess when I was 12 years old. Not because it's a family tradition, but because it piqued my curiosity. I ran to the book fair and bought the novel “Chess Without a Master,” and I still did not know that, years later, this would be called self-education. Today, I understand the importance of knowing how to play the corporate game and how important it is to think strategically and have the ability to anticipate problems. Or at least solve them when they arise.

Not long ago, I started playing chess again, this time influenced by the Netflix series “Gambito de Dama.” You have to know how to make some sacrifices, of course. I found myself thinking about how chess, as a classic and timeless game, reflects the complexity and diversity of the modern era, which we currently live in organizations. Every employee is (or rather should be) a key piece on the board, contributing their own tea – i.e. knowledge, skills and attitudes.

The game within entrepreneurship must combine the “good side” of tradition with the “better side” of creativity. Identify potential Trojans and determine strategies that allow all “pawns” (including knights, bishops, and rooks) to make their contribution. This is a collaborative vision, where the king and queen come down from their pedestal and understand the need for a team effort.

Just as a board has four sides, the parallel between the basic skills of a chess player and an entrepreneurial collaborator can be drawn in four steps:

1) Strategic vision: A skilled chess player anticipates his opponents' moves, and strategically plans each move; Entrepreneurial employees have a strategic vision, anticipate challenges and identify and explore opportunities for the company;

2) Ability to adapt quickly: In chess, the ability to adapt to changes on the board is crucial to overcoming unexpected challenges; Entrepreneurial employees quickly adapt to changes in the business environment and turn challenges into opportunities:

3) Diversity and innovation: In the game of chess, different pieces, such as horses, are characterized by their diverse moves, exploring different paths; Intrapreneurs are multi-talented people who explore new, not always linear, approaches to solving problems;

4) Courage and boldness: In the game of chess, a brave player takes risks and moves his pieces boldly to gain an advantage; Intrapreneurs have the courage to challenge the status quo and move boldly to explore new ideas and approaches.

It is essential to encourage leaders to view organizations as living councils, where every strategic move promotes an entrepreneurial culture. We should not sit idly by waiting for Trojans to appear. Like a chess master, leadership must know how to “lay the ground” (the board) and organize strategic moves to optimize the potential of each piece. With different movement possibilities, as in real life, some more “straight” and others along “diagonal”, each piece will occupy its position and have its role.

The game of chess and intrapreneurship are intertwined as indispensable allies. By adopting this integrative approach, companies become masters of the art of sustainable growth, based on continuous improvement, with a record of continuous activity and boldness.

Everyone take their seats and start the game! What if… if you started teaching how to play chess in organizations?

This article was published in the December issue (No. 156) of Human Resources magazine, on newsstands.