In a recent study led by HEC Liège, the Management School of the University of Liège, researchers delved into the intersection of the fields of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, looking specifically at the cognitive flexibility of habitual entrepreneurs - those who repeatedly launch new businesses - compared to less experienced entrepreneurs and managers. 

Cognitive flexibility - the ability to adapt and shift from one concept or strategy to another - is crucial to entrepreneurial success. Understanding the neural basis of this characteristic can provide valuable information for improving entrepreneurial training and education. Recently published research suggests links between entrepreneurial behavior and brain, opening up new perspectives in the emerging field of neuro-entrepreneurship. And what emerges first from the analyses is greater cognitive flexibility and brain differences between entrepreneurs and managers.  This research has practical implications for educators and organizations. By recognizing the importance of cognitive flexibility, educational programs can be designed to cultivate this characteristic in aspiring entrepreneurs. Organizations can also benefit by fostering cognitive flexibility among managers, which could lead to more innovative and adaptive business strategies. The discovery of distinct neural characteristics in habitual entrepreneurs not only advances our understanding of entrepreneurial cognition, but also opens up new avenues of research into how these brain structures develop and change in response to entrepreneurial activities. Longitudinal studies are underway to explore whether these differences result from innate predispositions or the brain's plastic response to entrepreneurial experiences. This pioneering research highlights the importance of combining neuroscience with traditional entrepreneurship studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes successful entrepreneurs distinct at the neurological level. This is what Prof. Frédéric Ooms (HEC Liège) invites you to discover during this talk.