Entrepreneurship Summit 2023: Keynote speech by Prof. Gerald Hüther

Summary

In his keynote speech ‘NEW WORK: Future-proof entrepreneurship and the shift from “should” to “want”’, Prof. Hüther spoke about the essential aspects of successful entrepreneurship from a neurobiological and human perspective. He contrasted technical knowledge and artificial intelligence with human experience, insight and dedication. For him, it is crucial that companies can only be truly successful if the people in them experience joy and meaning in their work and can contribute their skills creatively. He uses the image of a knitting dolly as a metaphor: the process of creating (above) produces the result (below), which is only successful if the work is done with dedication and cooperation.

Hüther criticises the traditional, hierarchical and authoritarian organisational structure that turns people into objects, and advocates new forms of cooperation in which individual talents and motivation are recognised. He emphasises that change is only possible through one's own authentic experiences and that managers can only invite others to develop if they show genuine interest in these people.

He makes it clear that the challenges of the modern world – skills shortages, digitalisation, complex organisational structures – cannot be solved by knowledge alone or external control, but through enthusiasm, cooperation and authentic opportunities for people to shape their own futures.

Key insights for founders

1. Insight beats knowledge:
Knowledge can be outsourced (e.g. through AI), but real entrepreneurial decisions can only be made through personal insight and deep understanding.

2. Dedication produces quality:
Similar to the knitting dolly, results can only be achieved through concentration, patience and passion.

3. Motivation through meaning:
Skilled workers only work with genuine enthusiasm and commitment when they are self-effective and recognise the significance of their work.

4. Cooperation is central:
Companies function like living organisms; success arises when all ‘cells’ (employees) work together for the benefit of the whole.

5. Change through invitation:
People only change when they are allowed to have new experiences themselves. Leadership means inspiring and inviting, not controlling.

About the speaker

Prof. Dr. Gerald Hüther is a renowned neurobiologist, brain researcher and author of numerous publications on learning, development and human potential. He is considered an expert on the connection between science, education and social practice. Hüther advocates a reorientation of organisational and educational science that focuses on motivation, meaningfulness and cooperation rather than pure knowledge, control and hierarchy. In his keynotes, he inspires entrepreneurs, managers and educators alike to recognise the potential of their employees and teams and to create space for creative development.