It’s hard to think that the program is over. Other alumni had warned me, “Enjoy it, because it goes fast.” They weren’t wrong.
I’m writing this after packing away my daughter’s toys and preparing our apartment for handover. I’m a bit emotional about closing this chapter, but deeply grateful for the relationships, the growth, and the moments that shaped this year.
My family and I arrived in Lausanne with big dreams and a couple of suitcases; my only goal was to be present and learn as much as I could. I knew it would be tough, but every day brought new inspiration from IMD’s staff and faculty – most notably from the 77 classmates I had the privilege of sharing this journey with. The most profound learnings from this year came from my colleagues.
How it felt to be voted graduation speaker
My class gave me the incredible honor of being the graduation speaker. I’ll never forget the moment Omar’s email appeared in my inbox; it was one of the year’s most memorable moments. It made me feel encouraged, trusted, and connected in a way that words can barely describe. To everyone who entrusted me with this task: it means the world to me.
Key learnings from this year
This year reshaped me in ways I didn’t expect:
- Secure base leadership: A leader acts as a secure base by providing protection and comfort (caring), while simultaneously offering energy and inspiration to explore (daring). An effective leader offers 100% caring and 100% daring, not half-and-half.
- The power of community: After the program, I now know many things I don’t know… but I also now have the phone numbers of the people who do. The biggest learnings came from my peers.
- Prioritize and deliver: This is an intense program, and tasks can accumulate quickly. One must prioritize among multiple priorities and comply with tight deadlines. In IMD there’s no option to deliver or show up late!
Favorite moments
The month-long Future Lab in Singapore was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not only to immerse myself in the country’s business and culture, but also to share a wide range of experiences with the cohort. From discovering the tastiest local foods to having meaningful conversations and pushing our limits in the fitness circuits organized by classmate Georg Vind and others, it was a month of connection and growth. Living together for an entire month had a powerful cumulative effect, deepening bonds and laying the foundation for lifelong friendships.
I must also mention my International Consulting Project, which allowed me to work in a new industry (pharma) and to collaborate with a high-performing team. Delivering strong results under tight timelines and seeing both the client and faculty genuinely satisfied with our work was incredibly rewarding.
Least favorite moment
I will never forget the first case preparation I did with my colleague Vin Ne Foo. I was so unprepared and got both the strategy and the numbers wrong. As they say: It was an ugly-tasting medicine, but the patient needed it.
If it hadn’t been for Vin Ne’s insistence, I probably would have procrastinated on case preparation for a couple more months!
Did the program meet expectations?
It didn’t just meet them, it changed the way I see myself, life, and business. I arrived expecting tools and frameworks; I’m leaving with new perspectives, meaningful friendships, deeper confidence, and a clearer sense of who I want to be as a leader and as a person.
And if you ask what I’ll miss most? Honestly, the people. The year felt surreal in many ways, but the relationships made it unforgettable.
Before I close, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to my wife, who accompanied me on this adventure and carried the heavy load of being a first-time mom with the bit of support a full-time MBA can offer. Without her, this adventure would not have been possible.
The adventure continues now, with changes and uncertainty, but a solid foundation to pursue my dreams!
Alfonso Martinez (Poncho)
