I left for Switzerland on the evening of my daughter’s seventh birthday.
My wife, our two children and I stood together in the departure hall of the Abidjan airport, holding on to those last minutes before I passed security and began this MBA journey. The birthday celebration would take place the next day, without me. It was a hard goodbye, and it marked a much larger transition for all of us.
Just before I walked away, my daughter asked a simple question: When are you coming back?
Her words stayed with me through the flight and into my first days in Lausanne.
Starting an MBA is a conscious decision. It is a commitment to grow, to stretch, and to challenge your assumptions about yourself and the world around you.
At IMD, that commitment becomes visible immediately. The environment is intense, the pace is fast, and the expectations are clear. You are asked to engage fully, think critically, and collaborate closely.
Yet that moment at the airport reminded me that ambition does not exist in isolation. It sits within relationships and responsibilities. Professional development and personal life move together. Sometimes they align. Sometimes they create tension. Both are real.
I soon realized I was not alone in navigating this transition.
Some classmates arrived in Lausanne with their families. Every morning, I see Luis walking onto campus with his wife and young child. Before classes begin, they often sit together in the cafeteria. Those early moments, shared over coffee and quiet conversation, are as much a part of his MBA experience as the case discussions that follow.
Others structure their days differently. I often pass a classmate finishing a call with her partner in the United States, making the most of the time difference before classes start.
These small moments reveal something essential. Behind every participant is a network of people who support, adjust, encourage and sometimes sacrifice so that this year can happen.
For many of us studying far from home, distance becomes part of the experience. It reshapes routines and conversations. It requires intention in how we communicate and how we allocate our attention. It also creates space for reflection on what matters most and how we want to lead.
One of IMD’s greatest strengths is the proximity within the cohort. With around ninety participants, you quickly build meaningful connections. We work in teams, debate ideas, and challenge one another. Conversations move beyond professional titles and focus on motivations, trade‑offs and the personal context behind this year.
The intensity of the program requires full presence. Collaboration is constant. Perspectives must be aligned. Decisions are made collectively. In this setting, communication is essential. Respect is practiced daily, not discussed in theory.
Through this, I have learned the importance of intentional presence. When I am in class, I strive to be fully focused. When I speak with my family, even briefly, I aim to be completely attentive. Presence is less about time and more about attention.
My daughter’s question continues to guide me. It is a reminder that our choices affect others. Recognizing that does not limit ambition. It gives it direction and grounding.
Distance can be demanding, but it can also bring clarity. It sharpens priorities. It makes interactions more meaningful. It helps define the kind of leader you want to become.
As I settle into life at IMD, I see how the program encourages this integration. Through teamwork, reflection and shared challenges, we are asked to grow not only as professionals but as individuals. Leadership here is not only studied. It is practiced.
This year will require energy, resilience and adaptability, but also gratitude for the people who make it possible. My daughter’s question remains the simplest reminder of all: the most meaningful ambition is the one pursued with responsibility, clarity and care for those you love.
