Cognitive Profiles in Executive Decision-Making: A Lifecycle Approach for PE and M&A

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between executive cognitive profiles and corporate lifecycle stages in private equity (PE) and M&A contexts. We believe that the cognitive demands on executives shift significantly as organizations progress through various growth phases. By integrating neuropsychological frameworks with corporate performance analysis, we developed a predictive model that aligns executive cognitive traits with stage-specific business challenges. Our findings reveal that certain cognitive attributes, particularly adaptive thinking and calibrated risk tolerance, correlate strongly with performance in specific corporate stages. The model demonstrates notable accuracy in predicting executive-organization fit across diverse industry sectors. Our findings suggest that cognitive profiling could substantially enhance strategic decision-making in corporate restructuring and growth initiatives.