MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Mindset

Cognitive Adaptability

Ask an advisor to point out when you seem rigid—what habits signal that in your style?

Share one recent mindset shift about your startup—ask a peer what shift they’ve made.

Ask a fellow founder for feedback on your flexibility—do you invite or block new ideas?

Start a conversation with an entrepreneur outside your field—ask how they approach change.

Share how you processed a strategic decision—ask for feedback on where you were rigid.

Create a “blind spot swap” with a peer founder—trade one overlooked area with each other.

Emotional Adaptability

Ask a peer founder to observe how you regulate emotions in high-stakes settings.

Share your emotional reaction after investor feedback—ask how your co-founder saw it unfold.

Invite a teammate to note how your emotions affect their energy during investor talks.

Discuss with a founder peer how you each react emotionally to market shifts—compare insights.

Ask someone close when they’ve seen you adapt well emotionally—what enabled that?

Reflect with a co-founder on how emotional adaptability shapes trust in your partnership.

Behavioral Adaptability

Ask a mentor to watch you in one meeting and give feedback on your flexibility.

Share a time you adapted your approach with a client—ask a peer how they perceived it.

Ask a mentor to name one habit that holds you back behaviorally—plan how to adjust it.

In your next 1:1 with a mentor, ask for feedback on how you handle sudden pivots.

Start a discussion with a peer founder on what “behavioral flexibility” means in startups.

Compare reactions with a teammate after a shared setback—what worked differently for each of you?

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