Why You Should Act Like an Entrepreneur, Even If You're Not Every successful employee should be the 'boss' of their own future and career advancement.

By Michael Moroney Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

Talk to any independent business owner, and he or she will tell you that one of the best parts of the job is "being their own boss." But while the self-employed enjoy certain freedoms -- from operations, marketing to working hours -- unavailable to those who draw a salary, every successful employee should be the "boss" of their own future and career advancement. Whether there are two or two dozen names ahead of yours on the company letterhead, it's important to remember that no matter who you work for, you also need to be working for yourself.

I like to think about this in terms of a model I call "YouCo," where each employee is CEO of their own job -- not only their daily tasks and deliverables, but also their broader personal and professional goals. YouCo is a company within a company, and allows you to grow in your role by acting entrepreneurially to produce results for your employer and burnish your professional credentials. By placing yourself at the center of your personal one-person company, you're also forced to confront important decisions about your career ambitions head on, and to devise short-, middle-, and long-term plans for attaining those goals.

Related: Why the Coach Approach Beats the Manager Mentality

"MichaelCo," for example, has helped me make the most of my opportunities while working in a variety of roles at large PR firms and smaller nonprofits alike. The most time-honored way to move up in the workplace is to deliver results for your employer, but for younger professionals, proving that you can think outside the box to maximize productivity and create new and better processes for your role is critical to personal and career advancement.

YouCo requires that you take on entrepreneurial initiatives in the workplace that allow you to grow. Smart employers understand the benefits of allowing their staff to take ownership of their roles -- the risks they take, if successful, can be applied to processes throughout the workplace and come at a fraction of the cost of consulting. Room to maneuver within your role allows you to learn how to act like a manager, even if you're the low man on the totem pole.

Related: People Must Be Valued or Innovation Will Leave With Them

I've been fortunate to work for employers who recognize the importance of professional development, and as a manager, I now encourage my staff to seek out opportunities for themselves (another win-win, as appropriate professional development seminars increase their quality of the work). But for those working in less permissive environments, it's critical to take time on weekends and personal days to sharpen your own saw before heading back to your employer's grindstone.

Working for MichaelCo hasn't been the best paying position I've held, but it's been just as important to my past, present and future success as any job listed on my resume. You may not be an entrepreneur in the traditional sense, but it's important to act like one, and to set your personal company on the path to success.

Related: Your Time Is Money, So Stop Wasting It

Michael Moroney

Communications strategist

Michael Moroney is a communications professional working in Washington, D.C., and a 2014 Fund for American Studies Journalism Fellow.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Uber's CEO Says Drivers Have About 10 Years Left Before They Will Be Replaced

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the jobs of human drivers are safe for the next decade, but after that, another type of driver will take over.

Business News

Elon Musk's DOGE Is Hiring People Eager to 'Work Long Hours' to Eliminate 'Waste, Fraud and Abuse' in the Government. Here's How to Apply.

The Department of Government Efficiency is hiring U.S. citizens to help cut spending and headcounts in the federal government.

Business News

'Everyone Can Profit From It': What Is DeepSeek? China's 'Cheap' to Make AI Chatbot Climbs to the Top of Apple, Google U.S. App Stores

DeepSeek researchers claim it was developed for less than $6 million, a contrast to the $100 million it takes U.S. tech startups to create AI.

Business News

'I Love Doing Product Reviews': Bill Gates Stepped Down from Microsoft in 2020, But Admits He Still Spends 15% of His Time Working at the Company

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates also said he is still close with Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella.

Branding

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Early-Stage Startup

Branding might not be your first priority, but neglecting it can hurt your startup. A strong brand identity early on sets the stage for marketing success.