How to Stifle Creativity and Dynamism in Your Organization

The Corporate Soldier

When I began researching the concept of the Corporate Soldier, I was surprised by how little has been written on the topic. There are various definitions and uses for the term, and in my playbook, it’s not a term of endearment or respect. I use it to describe a specific type of person within an organization—someone who is the polar opposite of a true leader.

The Corporate Soldier is someone who knows all the rules and regulations governing their organization. They are well-versed in the written and unwritten “dos and don’ts” of the workplace. They follow every rule to the letter and use these rules as the basis for all their actions. On the surface, this may seem like the ideal employee—someone who avoids risk, always plays by the book, and follows the established order.

In my view, this is far from ideal.

A Corporate Soldier is missing the very qualities that define a great leader: creativity, initiative, dynamism, and originality. They are not entrepreneurs, innovators, or business builders.

They operate comfortably within the confines of the rules, rarely stepping outside them to explore new possibilities. There’s always a justification for their actions, a sense of “covering your back”, and an ingrained righteousness in following the rules. Everything they do seems to make “sense,” but in reality, it stifles growth and innovation.

Rules, policies, regulations, and stipulations are innovation killers. People do their best work when they’re unencumbered. If you’re spending a lot of time accounting for the time you’re spending, that’s time you’re not innovating.

Organizations that foster an environment dominated by Corporate Soldiers risk losing the creativity and energy that drives growth and success.

While a Corporate Soldier may be skilled at navigating bureaucracy, they lack the essential qualities that make leaders successful in today’s fast-paced business world:

• Creativity: They don’t push boundaries or think outside the box.

• Initiative: They rarely take risks or explore new opportunities.

• Dynamism: Their actions are predictable and lack energy or enthusiasm.

• Originality: They follow existing systems but rarely introduce new ideas or solutions.

In contrast, true leaders are innovators. They create change, challenge norms, and inspire others to take bold actions. They’re not constrained by the rigid frameworks of rules and regulations.

Organizations should shift their focus from Corporate Soldiers to Intrapreneurs—individuals within a company who act like entrepreneurs. Intrapreneurs are bold, creative thinkers who take ownership of their roles, drive innovation, and help shape the future of the business.

If your organization is filled with Corporate Soldiers, it’s time to reevaluate. While these individuals may excel at maintaining the status quo, they’re unlikely to push your business forward in a competitive market. To stay ahead, you need Intrapreneurs—creative, dynamic, and forward-thinking individuals who aren’t afraid to break the mold.

It’s time to get rid of the Corporate Soldiers and give power to the Intrapreneurs.

Talk to us about how to accomplish this goal.