Entrepreneurship Summit 2023: Keynote speech by Prof. Mike Hoffmeister

Summary

In his keynote speech ‘Why entrepreneurship makes you happy! Insights from positive psychology’, Prof. Mike Hoffmeister explains why entrepreneurship makes you happy and which factors particularly support founders. He combines personal experiences, scientific findings from positive psychology and practical examples from entrepreneurship and intercultural cooperation.

He emphasises that happiness can be experienced both individually and collectively: developing one's own talents, implementing values and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to others increase well-being in the long term. Meaningfulness, autonomy, personal development and a positive working environment are decisive factors in this. Hoffmeister also addresses cultural differences that influence the perception of happiness, motivation and cooperation in international teams.

He provides practical advice on how founders can integrate happiness and resilience strategies into everyday life and corporate culture – whether through mindfulness, gratitude, an optimistic attitude or conscious relationship management.

Key insights for founders

1. Happiness improves performance and health:
Happy founders are physically healthier, more resilient and achieve better results in their companies.

2. Meaning and values are at the core of success:
Working independently, utilising one's own talents and aligning with personal values promote satisfaction and long-term success.

3. Positive psychology has a practical effect:
Gratitude, compassion, optimism and mindfulness can be specifically trained and improve resilience, motivation and team dynamics.

4. Intercultural sensitivity is crucial:
Different cultures have different ideas about communication, feedback and collaboration; successful founders adapt their strategies accordingly.

5. Happiness can be learned and influenced:
Even though genetic factors play a role, founders can increase and stabilise their own level of happiness through conscious attitudes, actions and environment design.

About the speaker

Prof. Mike Hoffmeister is a business economist, former Volkswagen employee and university professor specialising in marketing, entrepreneurship and positive psychology. Following a personal turning point in his life, he has dedicated himself to researching and teaching about happiness, resilience and meaningfulness in companies and educational institutions.

He combines scientific findings with practical methods to motivate founders, students and employees to develop their talents, live their values and implement socially meaningful projects. In doing so, he places particular emphasis on intercultural cooperation, mindfulness, gratitude and authentic leadership.