Cognitive flexibility — the ability to shift, adapt, and maintain multiple concepts simultaneously — is crucial when running a business and, thus, an essential characteristic of an entrepreneur.
Research shows that cognitive flexibility boosts creativity, innovation, and the ability to seek and process information. In other words, cognitive flexibility can make the difference between a groundbreaking idea and a missed opportunity in the business world.
However, not all entrepreneurs are created equal. Habitual entrepreneurs — those who have launched three or more ventures — are particularly intriguing because they embody the ultimate entrepreneurial mindset.
“Neuroentrepreneurship” is an emerging field that examines how entrepreneurial experiences can reshape the brain. This research parallels studies showing that a brain region responsible for spatial navigation expands in London cab drivers due to their work. However, researchers have not yet explored the brains of experienced habitual entrepreneurs.
To explore this further, Dr. Steven Laureys — a Professor from the CERVO Brain Research Centre at Laval University — collaborated with researchers from the University of Liege on a paper that assessed cognitive flexibility and brain structure in entrepreneurs versus non-entrepreneurs. This study was published in the Journal of Business Venturing Insights.
The study involved 403 entrepreneurs and 324 managers (non-entrepreneurs) who completed a self-reported cognitive flexibility assessment. A subset of these individuals also underwent a brain scan.
The researchers found that entrepreneurs outscored managers in divergent thinking (a marker of creativity) and decision-making. When the entrepreneurs were divided into habitual entrepreneurs and less experienced ones, the habitual entrepreneurs came out on top in both areas of cognitive flexibility.
The brain scans revealed that habitual entrepreneurs showed a significant increase in brain volume in the left insula, a brain area linked to creative thinking. Moreover, a positive correlation between this brain region and their cognitive flexibility scores suggests that habitual entrepreneurs aren’t just more cognitively flexible; their brain volume reflects this flexibility.
However, after completing this study, a question remains: Are the brain differences observed in this study a result of a natural predisposition, or do they develop through entrepreneurial experience? Understanding this relationship could revolutionize how entrepreneurial education and training are taught in the future.
In conclusion, the entrepreneurial mind is a fascinating blend of intellectual capability and brain plasticity. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or want to think like one, nurturing your cognitive flexibility could be the key to unlocking your full potential.
So, stay attentive and adaptable. Who knows? Your left insula may expand, and your thinking may change with it.
