Entrepreneurship: Unleashing Ideas, Shaping the Future
Entrepreneurship today is much more than founding a company – it's a mindset. Those who think entrepreneurially recognize opportunities early, drive change proactively, and create real value. Whether as an executive, founder, or intrapreneur, entrepreneurial thinking combines courage with strategic foresight, creativity with responsibility. It empowers you to break new ground, question the status quo, and promote sustainable innovation – in any organization and at any stage of your career.
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©WU Executive AcademyRelevant Articles - Entrepreneurship
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The Sound of Success: What an Entrepreneur’s Voice Reveals (or Doesn’t)
What does a founder’s voice reveal? It can be the deciding factor between success and failure in a pitch.
Why Entrepreneurial Thinking Shapes the Future of Leadership
In a world full of uncertainties, technological disruption, and global dynamics, we need people who don’t just react but actively shape the future. Entrepreneurial thinking – the ability to spot opportunities, take responsibility, and develop innovative solutions – is becoming a key competency of our time.
But entrepreneurship is no longer just about founding businesses: it’s relevant for every leader who wants to forge new paths with ownership, courage, and creativity.
Rethinking Leadership Through Entrepreneurship
Leaders who think entrepreneurially not only strengthen their organization - but also themselves. They don’t operate on autopilot; instead, they act with initiative, strategic foresight, and a willingness to take responsibility. They spot opportunities where others see risks—and create environments where ideas can emerge and grow.
With this mindset, they foster ownership within the team, cultivate a culture of trust, and enable both individual and collective growth. They empower employees to think critically and contribute actively—making innovation and transformation possible in the first place.
Entrepreneurship thus becomes a cornerstone of modern leadership—and the foundation for lasting success, across all industries and career levels.
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©WU Executive AcademyTake Off: Executive MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Turn innovative ideas into reality, develop new business models, and actively drive change – the Executive MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation is designed to prepare you for entrepreneurial challenges. Whether you're a founder, intrapreneur, or visionary leader, this program equips you with the knowledge, tools, and mindset you need to succeed in a dynamic business world.
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Top Researchers on Entrepreneurship & Innovation
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©2022 WU WienNikolaus Franke
Nikolaus Franke is the Academic Director of the Executive MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, as well as Head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the WU Entrepreneurship Center, and the User Innovation Research Initiative at WU Vienna.
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©WU Executive AcademyEntrepreneurial Mindset: The Engine for Innovation and Growth
A true entrepreneurial mindset goes far beyond mere openness to innovation. Neuroscientific studies show that it primarily involves developing cognitive flexibility and emotional tolerance for ambiguity — the ability to endure complex and contradictory information and respond to it with agility. Leaders with this mindset do not act reactively but anticipate systemic changes and use interconnected thinking to generate innovative solutions. Entrepreneurial thinking is also based on consciously cultivating the competence to handle uncertainty: those who understand risks as an integral part of innovation and process them constructively on a psychological level foster a culture where creative experiments can thrive.
Curiosity & willingness to learn: always seeking new solutions
Creativity & innovation: challenging and improving the status quo
Proactivity & personal responsibility: don’t wait, take action
Resilience & perseverance: learning from mistakes and growing stronger
Networking & collaboration: achieving more together
How Strong Is Your Entrepreneurial Mindset?
Innovatives Denken und unternehmerisches Handeln sind Schlüsselkompetenzen für moderne Führungskräfte. Doch wie ausgeprägt sind diese Eigenschaften bei Ihnen wirklich? Unser kurzer Test hilft Ihnen, Ihr persönliches Entrepreneurial Mindset einzuschätzen – und zeigt Ihnen, wo Sie bereits punkten und welche Potenziale noch schlummern. Probieren Sie es aus und entdecken Sie, wie Sie Ihre Führungsqualitäten mit unternehmerischem Denken weiter stärken können!
The Test
The Evaluation
Which Entrepreneurial Type Are You?
How do you handle new ideas?
a) I try them out immediately – even if there are risks.
b) I analyze carefully before making any changes.
c) I first look for partners and feedback before starting.
d) I wait until I’m sure it will work.How do you react to setbacks?
a) I learn from them and start again – even more motivated!
b) I reconsider my strategy and adjust it.
c) I discuss it with the team and gather different opinions.
d) I feel uncertain and need time to recover.What motivates you the most?
a) Creating new things and getting things moving.
b) Finding solutions that really work.
c) Achieving great things together with others.
d) Security and stability in daily life.How do you feel about uncertainty?
a) I see it as an opportunity for innovation and growth.
b) I plan carefully to minimize risks.
c) I rely on my network to navigate uncertain times.
d) I avoid unnecessary risks and stick to what’s proven.How do you make decisions?
a) Quickly and intuitively, even if I don’t have all the information.
b) After careful analysis of all facts.
c) By consulting with others to include different perspectives.
d) I hesitate until I’m absolutely sure.How important is creativity in your work?
a) Very important – I love exploring new paths.
b) Important, but only if it delivers practical results.
c) Important in a team setting to develop innovative solutions together.
d) Less important, I prefer tried-and-tested methods.
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©shutterstock – Capitano Footage & Stefano ButtafocoThe Dark Side of Entrepreneurship
Courage, Risk, Failure – What Really Lies Behind the Founding Myth.
Starting a business is exciting – but also challenging, lonely, and sometimes ruthless. In our article series “The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship,” we look behind the glittering facade of the start-up world:
What happens when the pressure to succeed becomes overwhelming?
What emotional, mental, and social downsides come with being an entrepreneur?
And how can one deal with setbacks, failure, and overwhelm in a healthy way?
Interesting Topics
Our Key Topics provide inspiration on the big questions of our time: How can responsible leadership succeed? What role does sustainability play in business? And how do you develop a career with purpose? Discover forward-looking perspectives and practical insights for a changing world.