“To play to thrive, you must display courage.” Professor Susan Goldsworthy
Sometimes, as I sit in the auditorium, I find myself looking at my classmates, and reflecting that just two months ago, we were all strangers. We were living in more than 30 different countries, speaking different languages, and following different customs. Behind each one of us lies a unique story that brought us here, but we have one thing in common: for every one of us to embark on this journey, it took immense courage.
Courage is not a one-time act; it is a mindset that pushes you beyond your comfort zone and opens up endless possibilities. Courage is what it takes to start playing to thrive, but it is only the first step. Choosing to embark on an MBA means you have given yourself a year to prioritize your growth, quench your thirst for learning, and prepare to become a better version of yourself, a better human, and a better leader. This is just the beginning of an exciting adventure.
This journey is like a mathematical equation, where certain constants unite us – courage, good intentions, respect, and diversity – as we work together to uncover and define the variables. It is remarkable to think that we now spend more time together than with our families. In such a short time, we have learned so much about each other – discovering our strengths and weaknesses and leveraging them to become the best leaders we can be.
Diversity is another constant. Embracing each other’s differences and learning to see assets is incredibly powerful. However, working in diverse teams is not always easy. It is often quite the opposite. However, the outcomes of diverse teamwork are of far greater quality. Is it always comfortable? No. Is it easy? No. But it is undoubtedly a valuable learning experience – both in terms of understanding group dynamics and gaining deeper self-awareness in a collaborative work environment.
This week, we had the pleasure of engaging in an in-depth discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion with Professor Jennifer Jordan and explored their impact on the workplace. One crucial concept introduced during the session was the importance of psychological safety in driving team performance, the idea that team members feel safe to take risks, express ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of embarrassment or punishment.
Focusing on group dynamics and leadership skills is one of the key pillars of this MBA program. You might see numerous LinkedIn posts or read books on these topics. Information is everywhere, but here, you have the opportunity to truly build knowledge. What sets IMD apart is its emphasis on repetitive experience. You practice your skills, receive personalized feedback, witness the evidence of your mistakes, and gain tools and frameworks to improve. You learn, and then you do it again. It follows a scientific process – experimenting, failing, correcting, and refining – until it becomes second nature, and you maximize your potential.
A recent team exercise with Professor Florian Hoos allowed us to participate in an accounting competition game together. None of us had prior accounting experience before joining IMD. Was it easy? Not at all. Was it enjoyable? Absolutely. We not only practiced accounting as a technical subject but also gained insights into our team dynamics and individual roles within the group.
If you want to always feel comfortable, don’t do an MBA. But if you want to learn, to experience the exhilaration of discovery, and to gain hands-on experience, then this is the right place for you.
As Albert Camus once said, “In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.”
We have just begun our search for our own invincible summers. The road ahead is long, but the journey is worth it.
