Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), developed by Martin and Rubin (1995), in a sample of Brazilian managers.

Method: The sample consisted of 445 managers from Southern Brazil selected through non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Psychometric analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega), multigroup measurement invariance (configural, metric, and scalar), and comparisons across work-related variables using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn's post hoc analysis.

Results: The final seven-item model showed satisfactory model fit, construct validity, and internal consistency (RMSEA=0.066, 90%CI: 0.038-0.089, SRMR=0.036, CFI=0.963, TLI=0.936 and χ²=33.228, gl=12, p=0.001). Measurement invariance across sex and education was supported at the configural, metric, and scalar levels (ΔRMSEA<0.015, ΔSRMR<0.030, ΔCFI<0.010; LRT p≥0.05). Kruskal–Wallis analysis revealed significant differences according to leadership experience (χ²=13.992, df=3, p=0.003). Dunn’s post hoc test indicated that managers with up to 15 years of leadership experience (M=5.98, SD=0.64) exhibited significantly higher cognitive flexibility than those with up to 3 years (p=0.006; m=5.70, sd=0.65) and up to 8 years of leadership experience (p=0.050; m=5.77, sd=0.66).

Contribution/Originality: This is the first validation study of the CFS in the country with Brazilian managers. The invariance obtained in the model by the variables of sex and education shows potential for application to different samples. The sensitivity of the variance, evidenced by the greater cognitive flexibility of managers with up to 15 years of leadership experience, showed potential for theoretical contributions in studies that apply the CFS.

Anni Kellen Cunico is a PhD Candidate in Management at the University of West Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Brazil, and an Administrator at the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS). She completed a PhD Exchange Programme at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, supported by the CAPES PDSE Scholarship. Her research focuses on entrepreneurial cognition, cognitive flexibility, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and innovation capacity, particularly in the context of small businesses and entrepreneurship. She has published in national and international journals and collaborates with researchers on topics related to entrepreneurship, innovation, and management. Her current research explores how cognitive flexibility influences entrepreneurial behavior and organizational innovation.