My timeframe for my mentors role is probably within a year or two. I currenty backfill his position when he is on vacation so I am networking with all his contacts all the time.

My timeframe for the next position above that (which is the executive) is probably more like 7-10 years according to my manager. Typically it is more like 10-13 years or something. Every year counts in my opinion.

Nothing is saying I will stay at this company, but that is the track I am on now.

And in no way do I claim I am better than everyone else there… I just will take responsibility others won’t and introduce ideas when others don’t care.

But my contributions are still minor at this point. Most of my ideas will fall of deaf ears. Many people who branch off on their own start out as intrapreneurs and just get a good idea thier employer can’t support. Maybe I’ll get there someday.

The “intrapreneurs” are the ones who move up in the business world. They are the ones who go into the more value-added positions than typical office work.

And people do notice.

For example, just a few days ago one of the executive’s in my company sent me a long email that started out with “Thanks for your follow up and proactive approach to your role.” This is the position that I look at as my future role down the stream.

They also notice the people who don’t turn over rocks and look for alternate processes.