The Biological and Emotional Engine: Physiology, Affect, and Entrepreneurial Well-Being

Dean A. Shepherd () and Holger Patzelt ()
Additional contact information
Dean A. Shepherd: University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
Holger Patzelt: Technical University of Munich, School of Management

Chapter 4 in The Entrepreneurial Compass, 2026, pp 25-32 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Focusing on the internal landscape, this chapter explores the reciprocal feedback loop between physical health and entrepreneurial action. Physical health is presented as a critical organizational determinant and a somatic signal to exit when compromised. The authors analyze physiological rhythms, such as cortisol levels, and the dynamic reservoir of entrepreneurial energy, which can lead to systemic venturing fatigue if depleted. To sustain performance, entrepreneurs must use regulatory tools such as high-quality sleep and mindfulness to restore cognitive resources. The chapter also introduces individual and collective emotional intelligence as vital for sensing environmental data and avoiding threat rigidity. Finally, it details the dynamics of grief following failure, proposing a dual-process model in which individuals oscillate between loss and restoration orientations. By managing the stigma of failure and utilizing parting ceremonies, entrepreneurs can normalize loss as a stage of learning and moving forward on their entrepreneurial journey.

Keywords: Biological Engine; Cortisol; Dual-process Model; Emotional Intelligence; Entrepreneurial Fatigue; Entrepreneurial Grief; Mindfulness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-36429-6_4

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783032364296

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-36429-6_4

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Springer Books from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().