The first step in your search for the innovation officers and intrapreneurs who can power the innovation engine of your company is to understand what sets these great people apart from others. What characteristics will you need to look for as you fill these important slots on your organizational chart?

Fortunately, the traits that make an individual capable of driving change and innovation have become reasonably well defined over the years. Here are six key qualities that make innovators a different breed of people:

• Optimism: Great innovation officers and intrapreneurs tend to see opportunities rather than problems. Rather than being intimidated by challenges, they are invigorated by them because they believe they have the ability to overcome any obstacle. Setbacks that would cause others to fold their tents don’t shake the faith of these optimists; they are confident in their ability to succeed at anything they set out to do.

• Passion and drive: These people want to change the world! This passion fuels the drive they have to overcome any roadblocks that get in their way. However, if the senior executives of their organization don’t share this passion and the corporate culture doesn’t support it, a true innovator will move on, seeking a company where their passion is encouraged instead of thwarted. The drive these people have makes them like a piece of cork floating in the ocean. No matter how rough the waters get, they will rise to the surface again and again.

• Curiosity: People who are passionate about a subject are also curious about it. They are in a constant learning mode, always wanting to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to knowing about trends and new developments. True innovators also understand that lessons from one arena can often be used to drive innovation in another, so they usually do not confine their learning to just their own narrow field.

One of the things it’s important for them to be curious about is the jobs of others. By having an interest in what other people do and how that impacts the organization, innovation officers in particular are better prepared to help drive change.

• Belief in Change: Linked to curiosity, a belief that change is necessary is another necessary trait of innovation officers and intrapreneurs. Folks who are happy with the status quo or who don’t thrive in the chaos that change often entails will not do well in these important roles.

• Talent for Networking: Innovation requires bringing together people from disparate parts of a business–or even outside the business–to create a united force to drive new ideas forward. Having an innate ability to network is a key asset in making this happen.

In research done by Rob Cross, of the University of Virginia, and Robert J. Thomas and David A. Light, of Accenture Institute for High Performance Business, they learned that high performers are likely to position themselves at key points in a network and leverage the network around them better when implementing their plans. Also, they found that high performers tend to invest in relationships that extend their expertise and help them avoid learning biases and career traps. Finally, they discovered that high performers value networks and engage in behaviors that lead to high-quality relationships–not just big networks. These are all skills and behaviors you want in innovation officers and intrapreneurs.

• Communication Skills: It’s impossible to succeed as a change agent without having strong communication skills. Innovation officers and intrapreneurs need to be clear communicators who can persuade and inspire other people, including those who are reluctant to embrace change. In their communications ability, they serve as role models for the openness that is required for an innovative corporate culture.

By looking for these six characteristics when identifying innovation officers and intrapreneurs, you will greatly improve your chances of finding the right people.

As innovation officers and intrapreneurs play significantly different roles, you should seek one additional characteristic in innovation officers–the ability to view things in a holistic manner. As the leaders of assuring that innovation becomes part of the DNA of your organization, innovation officers need to be capable of analyzing the big picture both in and outside the company. This includes the ability to decipher the internal political landscape that will impact their ability to move innovation forward as well as having a thorough understanding of the outside forces that shape your company’s marketplace opportunities.

Now we know what to look for. In the next post we will look into how to find these people.