The Disciplined Entrepreneurship Skill Builders Handbook is out now
- katie5575
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
What's inside:
Why and how we built this inside UK Government
The framework itself: 5 core principles, 4 skill levels, and a Certified Coach pathway
What disciplined entrepreneurship looks like for innovators, investors, and leaders
Certification standards and assessment materials you can adapt and use
Honest advice for building your own framework from scratch
Here's how this started.
When I was first asked to help a large Civil Service department build its capacity to deliver innovation, I wasn't sure where to start.
I'd been a scrappy intrapreneur myself. I had a string of innovation projects behind me — varying degrees of impact, let's say. I'd also managed and mentored people trying to create new value and hitting walls at every turn.
One thing I knew for certain: building an organisation's capability to innovate is about far more than training. It's about the skills, habits and structures that turn good ideas into real impact — and kill bad ideas fast.
So I focused on the people. I zoomed in on generating enthusiasm, building confidence and growing practical skills.
That work became a novel innovation skill framework. In its first two years, we certified over 1,000 people across multiple departments. It was the fastest-growing skill in the department at the time. People loved it. "I'll never go back to the way I was running projects before" — we heard that a lot.
This was built inside UK Government, so until recently, I couldn't share any of it. I'm genuinely thrilled to be changing that today.
What do you think? Does this resonate with how your organisation approaches innovation capability? What would you adapt?
Want more? I offer keynote talks — 20 or 50 minutes — introducing the 5 principles in a way people actually remember. And 1-day Introduction to Innovation workshops that people leave inspired and ready to start doing things differently.
If that sounds useful, let's talk. Drop me an email or a message.
Katie Careless | Innovation Capability Builder | yellow-cat.co.uk |LinkedIn
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