Jian Liu Explores Entrepreneurial Team Resilience in Recent Guest Lecture

30.10.2024

Insights from Liu on Building Resilience in Entrepreneurial Teams

On 13 September, Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location played host to its very own Erasmus+ Project Administrator & Researcher Jian Liu for a guest lecture titled 'Entrepreneurial Team Resilience: Surviving and Thriving Through Sudden and Severe Adversity'.

A PhD candidate at the University of Twente, Liu had the opportunity to share his insights with EBA (Entrepreneurial Business Administration) students who are navigating the complexities of entrepreneurial ventures.

During the lecture, Liu explored the challenges faced by entrepreneurial teams and the importance of resilience in overcoming adversity.

He emphasised the relevance of this topic, stating, “Entrepreneurial team resilience is a relevant topic because businesses today face many challenges, like economic problems, global crises, and fast-changing markets. Startups are especially at risk, and resilient teams are better at handling setbacks and finding new opportunities.”

Liu underscored that strong, resilient teams can innovate during tough times and collaborate effectively under pressure, which is crucial for long-term success.

The session covered several key learning objectives aimed at deepening students’ understanding of entrepreneurial teams. Liu went on to define entrepreneurial teams (NVTs) and explained how they differ from traditional work teams, highlighting their core characteristics, such as shared ownership and a unified team vision. He also identified the key challenges faced by these teams, including high failure rates and the significant role of team dynamics in both abrupt and persistent adversities.

Another critical focus of the lecture was the factors contributing to team resilience in adversity. Liu discussed essential elements such as team potency, psychological safety and social capital, all of which are vital for a team's ability to recover from setbacks. He introduced the concept of causal complexity, explaining how various resilience factors can interact in unpredictable ways, leading to different outcomes based on the specific context of each team.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, Liu’s lecture included practical activities that simulated real-world challenges. Students engaged in role-play scenarios, such as a crisis at a fictional startup named TechNova, which allowed them to explore resilience-building strategies in action.

After the lecture, Liu reiterated the importance of resilience, stating, “With global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shifts, learning how to stay strong as a team is more important than ever for long-term success.”