Creating a Career Playground: Unlocking Intrapreneurial Potential in Your Team
“Climbing the career ladder” is officially outdated. Instead of working in hierarchies we find ourself operating in networks. The new path to professional growth? The career playground. Forget about climbing to the top; a career playground gives you the space to explore, discover, & take bold steps in different directions. This mindset shift empowers people to grow in unexpected ways, pick up new skills, & uncover unique strengths—all while having a bit more fun along the way.
Here’s how you can embrace the career playground model to unlock both personal growth & team success.
A Playground Mindset: Where Curiosity Leads the Way
In the playground, growth isn’t about the next rung up—it’s about expanding your impact across different roles & projects. Imagine diving into projects that spark your curiosity, taking on cross-functional work, or teaming up with new people. This flexibility isn’t just liberating; it’s what helps individuals & teams become adaptable, agile, & future-ready. Make the choice to embrace the career playground! Get messy, explore, & learn.
Perk Pro Tip: Ask yourself: What excites me most in my current role? Look for opportunities to collaborate or projects that align with what you’re passionate about.
Owning Your Experience: Act like an Intrapreneur
In a career playground, everyone is empowered to act like an “intrapreneur.” That means taking ownership of projects, leading with initiative, & finding ways to add value that align with the bigger picture. This mindset builds confidence, inspires trust, & reminds each team member that they’re an essential part of the organization’s success. To be an intrapreneur means that what you focus on every day is at the apex of maximum satisfaction for yourself & maximum contribution to the organization. Make sure you are acting in alignment with what the team’s goals are! Ask yourself these questions:
What is our company’s maximum value?
What is our team’s maximum value?
What is our team’s 1 year vision?
What is our team’s 5 year vision?
Freedom to Flex: Knowing your Highest & Best Use
Unlike a rigid ladder, a playground gives everyone room to maneuver. It celebrates contributions based on skills & insights rather than titles & hierarchy. Whether it’s trying a lateral move, exploring a different department, or volunteering for a challenging project, a playground approach rewards flexibility. This creates opportunities for fresh perspectives, creative solutions, & resilient problem-solving. Check out this activity, The Purpose Quadrants, to find what your highest & best use is!
Lifelong Learning: Seek Feedback & Do Something with it
The best playgrounds never stop evolving—& neither should our careers! Feedback is at the heart of the career playground, where there’s always a new skill to pick up, trend to track, or creative approach to try. Feedback is a necessary ingredient as we explore the career playground to help you gain self awareness, continue to grow on your career path, & build trust among your teammates. Here are a few of our go questions to ask for feedback:
What’s one thing I am doing well right now on this project & should keep doing?
What is one thing that I could start doing to be 1% better?
What is one thing I should stop doing, or alter, to be even more effective on the team?
What is one area you’d like to see me take more ownership of/grow in?
The Career Playground: Fun, Growth, & Impact
The career playground approach prioritizes exploration, curiosity, & growth over strict hierarchy. When we give ourselves permission to break free from the ladder, we open doors to a more dynamic, meaningful career path. So go ahead—explore your playground, find what fuels you, & let your career flourish in ways you never expected.
Ready to discover your own playground? Start by taking small steps in the directions that spark your curiosity & see where it leads!
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