One of the reasons why I decided last year to enroll in an MBA was all the bad press MBAs received during the recent economic recession. Contradicting as it may sound, the declining popularity of the now infamous three-letter suffix had a great influence on my decision to go for it. I thought that this would be the right time to learn about the factors – both technical and behavioural – that sparked the crisis, and to dissect the related leadership issues before a new wave of economic advance washes away the learnings that must be collected.
Many say – and I agree – that the world is going through an unprecedented crisis of leadership. We lack the positive, ground-breaking, truly inspiring leaders that will soon be confined to history books and management manuals (and the odd science-fiction franchise). There is hope, however, despite the current state of affairs. I saw it in myself, and after only a fortnight in class I can also recognize it in my colleagues and faculty members – the will to grow a class of leaders ready to build the tools and learn the ways of a new leadership, to work the paradigm shift that will take us there. This blog documents my journey, and my first post could not be other than this – a manifesto for better leadership.
Good blog. There is definitely a crisis of leadership. The MBA brand received a lot of negative press during the worst part of the crisis. Hopefully what will emerge is a new class of leaders that value people and sustainability just as much as as their products and services. Please keep that focus as you journey through the program. Listen more than you talk and seek feedback more than you criticize and you’ll be successful no matter what your career goals are.