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Self-Compassion When Coping With Venture Obstacles: Loving-Kindness Meditation and Entrepreneurial Fear of Failure

Author

Listed:
  • Yuval Engel
  • Stephany Noordijk
  • Afra Spoelder
  • Marco van Gelderen

Abstract

Entrepreneurial fear of failure is a ubiquitous yet aversive experience with critical implications for entrepreneurial action and well-being. To understand how entrepreneurs can effectively cope with fear-inducing obstacles, we hypothesize and experimentally test the extent to which self-compassion, cultivated through Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM), counteracts entrepreneurs’ fear of failure when facing a threatening venture obstacle. Compared to an active control group, entrepreneurs exposed to a brief guided LKM showed higher self-compassion, which, in turn, was associated with lower fear reactivity. We offer novel contributions to entrepreneurship theory and practice by highlighting the role of meditation and self-compassion in building entrepreneurial resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuval Engel & Stephany Noordijk & Afra Spoelder & Marco van Gelderen, 2021. "Self-Compassion When Coping With Venture Obstacles: Loving-Kindness Meditation and Entrepreneurial Fear of Failure," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(2), pages 263-290, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:45:y:2021:i:2:p:263-290
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258719890991
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Bob Bastian & Mariel Hjelle & Dean Shepherd, 2026. "Systemizing Entrepreneurial Metacognition: Thinking About the Past and Future," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 50(1), pages 231-274, January.
    4. Rössig, Sarah-Alena & Vera Hedwig Schmidt, Corinna & Schrewentigges, Lisa & Strese, Steffen, 2025. "Is it contagious? The effect of fear of failure on employee satisfaction," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    5. Nhu Nguyen & Ivona Hideg & Yuval Engel & Frédéric Godart, 2024. "Benevolent Sexism and the Gender Gap in Startup Evaluation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 48(2), pages 506-546, March.
    6. Kensbock, Julia M., 2025. "Reaching out or going it alone? How birth order shapes networking behavior and entrepreneurial action in the face of obstacles," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(2).

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