Entrepreneurship In The Workplace: Lessons From Batman, Ruge Mutahaba And Jeff Bezos

Every day there are job ads from large companies that want to hire the same kind of people. But alas, as an organization grows and becomes steadier, it will lose some of its entrepreneurial outlook. An entrepreneurial outlook is full of passion and drive, in tune with team dynamics, innovative, risk taking, full of creativity and great executions.

A common misconception is that most these talents aren’t /don’t want to be employed. “If you can start a business, why be employed?” Most would argue that employment would be a drag because being the boss is the ultimate goal for all. However, the 21 st entrepreneur doesn’t have to quit their 9-5 (or school) to run a successful business. For example the late media mogul Ruge Mutahaba (RIP) encourages employee Millard Ayo to build his own online media empire (millardayo.com) while employed at Clouds FM. Similarly Jeff Bezos’ strategy to offer Amazon employees $10,000—in addition to up to three months’ pay—if they quit the company and start a package delivery business. Both these leaders encouraged and nurtured their employees’ entrepreneurial endeavors choosing to see its long-term benefits for all involved.

According to studies, majority of entrepreneurs go into it to build wealth e.g. the accountant Uber driver, the engineer pub owner and the receptionist makeup artist. It starts off as a part-time gig. They run their personal and office duties in a balanced schedule (think Bruce Wayne by day, Batman by night). Life as Batman offers creative freedom, flexible working hours, employment options, making a change in the society and wealth. In our workplace we know a Bruce Wayne (an employee) that wears many hats and Batman (their entrepreneur within) is one of them. From this perspective, there’s no reason to discourage them. As long as there isn’t a conflict of interest, the Batman persona will actually help boost their energy levels and creativity at their 9-5. The trick is to find ways to marry the interests of these two personas; we’ll have struck equilibrium gold.

A good leader always ties in the organization’s goals with their team’s own (even to the individual level). If the talent doesn’t see how reaching $1M in sales is going to benefit them, what’s their motivation? But if there’s a cash bonus, then voila! Everyone’s more determined, driven and motivated realize the goals. When done correctly, the journey to the top becomes more fulfilling. Similar to leadership, the best part of working should be the work within the team and not just reaching targets. When it is solely about the latter, it’s no longer fulfilling and you’ll quickly lose your team.

Therefore, our leadership needs to evolve to fit this reality in the workspace they currently occupy, hence the “Must have an entrepreneurial spirit” / the need to hire more entrepreneurial employees. If you find and nurture these people you’re in luck!

Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in the workplace:

Tips for leaders:

• Incentivize their ideas, not just sales targets.
• Set an entrepreneurial atmosphere.
• Oversee, don’t micromanage.
• Provide opportunities for self- improvement (especially in EQ) and leadership.
• Tie your values with theirs.
• Empower their individuality.
• Be flexible.

Tips for employees:

• Think beyond your official job title.
• Pursue hobbies, interests and other creative (and business) outlets outside of the workplace.
• Don’t fear failure.
• Ask questions and keep learning.
• Invest in your growth (reading, courses, trainings etc.).
• Take ownership.
• Network.
• Be resilient, accountable, consistent and reliable.