What is common between well-known Mr. Sherlock Holmes and an IMD MBA candidate? Strategy classes have started and we need to apply deductive reasoning in problem solving. A simple dating riddle may become a hard strategic dilemma: temptation for inductive conclusion from a qualitative analysis should be challenged through a deductive quantitative check. The numbers might be approximated, but once they show that your sophisticated multilayer reasoning doesn’t make sense, because a beautifully differentiated product provides no financial benefit on the market, forget the business idea. The logic is pure and beautiful.
Then comes a leadership class and we discuss organizational frameworks. What is it like to persuade the whole group of people, when you have an opposite opinion? Again inductive vs deductive. Are you capable as a leader to make this change? Someone just made a logical mistake, but the other might have a psychological defense – how do you deal with those at once? And what kind of miracle happened to the British Museum in early 2000s? For the last several days while on my way I listen to the archived BBC radio-programs of Mr. Neil MacGregor “A History of the World in 100 objects”: stories, that connect functionality and beauty of artefacts with changing us. By the way, this thesis is just a part of a vision of a leader, who succeeded to attract millions of visitors and changed our perception of museums.
During the break my classmates discuss the central role of energy in economy. Later on I listen to another radio program of Neil MacGregor: supposedly 50 million years ago humans started creating arts – a connection to imaginary and abstract thinking – this might be related to the fact that normally around 20% of energy consumption of a human serves brain needs. Energy is for us and not the other way round. It’s us, who create, who progress, who doubt, who make mistakes…
At the beginning of this week we presented our start-up solutions to the jury and, thus, finished entrepreneurship classes and… changed our groups. Turning to another page of our incredible journey at the IMD,
Till soon,
Aysylu
