Articles

Originally shared in our November 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. We often define resilience as the ability to “bounce back” to where we were before a crisis. But in a rapidly changing world, is returning to the status quo enough? Emerging research on entrepreneurial resilience suggests a more dynamic goal: “bouncing forward.” This approach treats disruption not as a temporary interruption to be weathered, but as a critical catalyst for adaptation and structural change. This…

Originally shared in our November 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. How do you react when your plans fall apart? Do you feel defeated, or do you see a new opening? In this exploration of the Stoic concept Amor Fati (“love of fate”), Brendan Hufford challenges us to go beyond merely bearing necessary burdens. Instead, drawing on the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Viktor Frankl, Hufford argues that we must embrace every event, good or bad,…

Originally posted in our September 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. While understanding the theory of transcendent thinking is valuable in and of itself, finding ways to apply it as leaders and educators is a different matter entirely. As a complement to the research out of USC CANDLE around transcendent thinking, the team offers us some key tips for turning frameworks into practice. These tips show how educators and leaders can help learners see connections across ideas…

Originally posted in our August 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. This Higher Ed Education Today article makes the case that the entrepreneurial mindset is not just for learners looking to start companies; rather, it’s a transferable skill that directly enhances employability. Employers increasingly value a workforce that can recognize opportunities, solve problems, and adapt in uncertain environments. The piece calls on higher education and workforce programs to intentionally cultivate these abilities, embedding entrepreneurial thinking alongside technical training.…

Originally posted in our May 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. A recent Big Think article highlights how curiosity can rewire the brain—boosting learning, memory, and adaptability. At ELI, we’ve seen firsthand how curiosity fuels the entrepreneurial mindset. It’s what enables individuals to spot opportunities hidden in problems and stay engaged through the often-challenging process of building solutions. But curiosity isn’t just outward-facing. It also drives self-reflection, helping us question assumptions, confront biases, and improve decision-making. Without…