My two years In business school could be summed up in one sentence. I learned to be competitive, I became more confident and the institute prepared me to face a tough life ahead.
Most of us felt that the learning was not limited to classroom teaching. The competitive spirit of every individual was palpable and the atmosphere within the dormitories was very vibrant, to say the least.
The case study methodology allowed us to think in a structured manner and be more analytical. But as I look back, I find a gap in this methodology. We were made to think like a manager but not as a leader. The emphasis was on numbers, technicalities and logical analysis. We were geared up to thinking that every problem could be solved with the right tools and objective assessment.
In real life, however, the key to success is strong leadership. As India makes it to the top, lead by the services industry, building inspirational leaders at an early stage of the career is paramount to stay ahead in a global environment.
While a few subjects such as organisational behaviour did try to address the softer aspects, they fell short of achieving the objective. There was very little attempt to teach leadership skills and the importance of being modest, tolerant and leading a balanced life. The students would be immensely benefited if B-schools devote more time on providing guidance on career planning.
If I were to be invited to spend some time with the young graduates of today, I would try and communicate a few simple messages:
Do what you love to do; money and recognition will follow. When it comes to learning, be open and maintain humility — you can learn from anyone. Have the drive to learn something everyday and make yourself useful. And finally, “positive attitude” will be your greatest friend in life.
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