When Spectrum’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, Jake Perlman walked onto the stage at the 2025 Cable Hall of Fame Celebration in April, he wasn’t just receiving an award, he was embodying the four decades of intrapreneurial spirit that Syndeo Institute has worked to cultivate across the connectivity industry. As the inaugural recipient of the Innovation & Intrapreneurship Award for Excellence, Perlman represents a new generation of leaders who understand that transformation happens when passionate people refuse to accept “the way things have always been done.”
“The ceremony was very special, but I most enjoyed being able to share this honor with my team,” Perlman tells us about receiving the award. This sentiment captures the essence of what makes intrapreneurship different from traditional leadership models. At Spectrum, Perlman’s approach to fostering innovation isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about creating an environment where the collective intelligence of his organization can flourish.
His leadership philosophy rests on four fundamental operating behaviors that he emphasizes in every key meeting:
- Make good decisions
- Partner for organizational success
- Innovate constantly
- Be diligent and relentless in execution
Perlman considers these behaviors to form the practical framework that enables large-scale transformation in complex organizations.
He also talks about how the difference between managing a team and empowering intrapreneurs comes down to how you define success. “We often talk about judging success based on consistent high-quality, high-volume delivery with business impact,” Perlman explains. “If you set that as the goal and coach people in that direction, as opposed to managing individual projects, people strive for the right objectives.”
This philosophy was born from a pivotal moment early in Perlman’s career when an EVP challenged his perspective on what success really meant. After explaining his team’s ability to hit delivery targets, the executive was blunt, explaining how they were consistently late to market and, despite meeting their commitments, they were failing the business. That feedback transformed Perlman’s understanding of success from departmental achievement to company-wide impact. “It taught me to be more engaged in the business, to partner with my peers, and to aim for true company success, not just departmental metrics.” Perlman says. This shift from inward-focused measures to market-driven outcomes is a keystone of intrapreneurial thinking. It’s the ability to see beyond the immediate sphere of influence and understand how the work connects to broader organizational goals.
At Spectrum, Perlman’s team faces the exciting challenge of keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology landscapes. From AI integration to VR-based consumer devices, from streaming innovations to IoT and home healthcare applications, the pace of change is hard to grasp. “Rising to meet these evolving needs and provide better connected experiences for our customers makes every day a fun and meaningful challenge,” he says.
This continuous evolution requires what Perlman calls being “constant learners and bringing in new technologies whenever and wherever it makes sense.” Innovation is about adopting the latest tools, but it’s also about maintaining a mindset that questions assumptions and seeks continuous improvement.
“We always want to win in the marketplace with the best, most innovative, and highest quality products and services,” Perlman says. “This requires constant self-reflection followed by action. We try to look at ourselves objectively and always improve, never being satisfied.”
For those looking to drive bold change within their organizations, Perlman’s advice is straightforward: “Build relationships, listen to people, learn technology, learn from your mistakes, and stay humble and hungry. These are fundamental behaviors that create the conditions for innovation to thrive.”
The emphasis on relationships and listening speaks to the collaborative nature of intrapreneurship. Unlike entrepreneurs who often work in isolation to build something from scratch, intrapreneurs must navigate existing organizational structures, win over skeptics, and build coalitions of support. Success depends on having great ideas, and then being able to maintain the relationships and credibility to turn those ideas into reality.
When asked how busy professionals can find time for development programs like the Intrapreneurship Academy, Devine’s approach is both practical and applicable. Practically, he created “gigs”—development opportunities for his team members that allowed them to take on additional responsibilities while he focused on his own growth. In a way, it’s delegating in the form of training and is a win-win for him and his team.
His advice when it comes to managing time is direct. “You have to own your calendar; you have to own what this time and commitment means and make it clear to your leaders that you need it.” He adds that any leader who doesn’t support professional development isn’t someone he’d want to work for.
As Perlman reflects on his recognition during such an important anniversary year, he offers one final piece of wisdom that captures the spirit of intrapreneurship. ”I would encourage people to focus on and reflect on the process. The outputs are great, but the journey is what makes us all better for the future.“
This focus on process over outcomes might seem counterintuitive in a results-driven industry, but it reflects a deeper understanding of how sustainable innovation happens. The skills, relationships, and insights developed through the journey of driving change are the foundation for even greater innovations down the road.
Perlman’s leadership at Spectrum, where he champions AI adoption, drives digital engagement initiatives, and modernizes IT infrastructure, demonstrates how intrapreneurial thinking can transform both customer and employee experiences. His approach shows how individual leaders can create ripple effects that extend far beyond their immediate teams.
As Syndeo Institute looks toward the future, Jake Perlman represents the evolution of intrapreneurial leadership. He’s grounded in collaboration, driven by continuous learning, and focused on creating value for the entire industry.
Perlman provides a great example for how future intrapreneurs can succeed, by staying humble and hungry, building relationships, and never settling for the way things have always been done. His journey proves that the most powerful innovations come from leaders who consistently set the bar higher and empower their teams to reach it, and it’s pretty inspiring to watch. Congratulations to Jake Perlman, the first recipient of the Syndeo Institute Innovation & Intrapreneurship Award for Excellence.
To learn more about developing intrapreneurial skills in your organization, explore Syndeo Institute’s Intrapreneurship Academy at syndeoinstitute.org.
