The Biggest Lessons For Executive MBAs

The title gets attention, but the person gets results.

That’s a hard lesson to learn in business. Who you are matters far more than what you say. You can issue orders, but you can’t impose commitment. For leaders, the biggest threat isn’t pushback. It is the quiet that comes when your people tune you out.

In other words, leadership isn’t reflected in org charts. It is found in the hearts of the people who follow you.

For Erin Nazetta, a research director at a venture capital firm, this was the big takeaway from her Executive MBA program: “Leadership transcends titles and roles.” Instead, leadership requires continuous reflection, questioning, self-awareness, and learning. At Washington University’s Olin Business School, Nazetta confronted areas, she says, that she didn’t know she needed work. The result was a “ripple effect” – one where her growth served as a means of influence and source of inspiration.

“Transitioning from management roles in large multinational corporations to a smaller company reset my perspective on leadership,” she tells P&Q. “I came to understand that true leadership lies in the impact we have on those around us and the world we inhabit rather than simply the title on our business cards.”

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

Liz Castelli experienced a similar epiphany at the University of California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. The EMBA program showed how wielding influence often produced better results than raw power – “capturing hearts and minds”, so to speak. Even more, Castelli adds, the program helped her align her leadership style with her values and personality, while providing a platform to test out her expanded skillset.

“An EMBA program like the one at Haas offers a low-risk environment—a sort of petri dish—where you can incubate these skills without negative impact, allowing you to experiment and refine your leadership style,” adds Castelli, the CEO of a design firm. “For me, the timing was ideal, coinciding with a pivotal phase of acquisition and scaling within my company. This alignment made the program particularly special as I could directly apply what I learned to our business model as we continue to grow within the corporate infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the success of the business while honing my leadership capabilities.”

Nazetta and Castelli outlined one of the key takeaways from business school: the true meaning of leadership. This spring, as part of the nomination process for the 2024 Best & Brightest Executive MBAs, P&Q asked top graduates to share the biggest lessons they gained from business schools – and the impact they had on their jobs. From negotiating deals to applying soft skills, here are the 12 lessons that have made the Class of 2024 more effective in their roles.

1) Utilize “Yes, and…”: The spirit behind this train of thought is rooted in collaboration, keeping an open mind, and fostering a positive outlook on work. When presented with an idea, instead of shutting down that idea or providing the reasons why we can’t do something, let the idea evolve. Add to the idea by acknowledging it “yes”, then add the “and” to build upon it. Mastering this skill helps to keep the team members engaged and feeling part of the solution creating an empowered workforce.”
Ryan Dickerson, Baylor University (Hankamer)

3) Manage Your Energy: “While pursuing an MBA and working full-time, I realized that mastering time management is essential, but understanding the energy required for different commitments is even more crucial. By focusing on how much energy tasks demanded, rather than just the time they took, I learned to manage my workload more effectively. This approach has helped me balance my responsibilities, leading to a more productive and enjoyable experience both at work and at home.”
Nathan Patrick Garlock, Columbia University

3) Meet People Where They Are: “By interacting and developing friendship with 200+ people in my global cohorts that span US, Europe, and Asia, I realized that people are super diverse in their way of thinking and approaching problems. There is no one solution that fits all. Understanding people’s perspectives are important instead of instilling my own rationale into them and convincing them it’s the best way. Winning hearts can lead to winning minds.

In my deal-making role, I used to be running the front-line trying to make things happen and then trying to persuade all stakeholders into buying into and implementing the projects. Since the MBA, I’ve been engaging stakeholders since Day 1 to hear more perspectives to see how collectively we can make the deal better and kill other ones earlier. Ever since then, my deal team has been getting less-and-less pushback from other teams and have been gaining tremendous support across different middle to back-office functions.”
Bingjie Li, University of Chicago (Booth)

4) Embrace Strategic Prioritization: “My natural curiosity and love of learning were challenged during the MBA program. Balancing studies with a demanding career and family life meant I couldn’t pursue every interesting opportunity. I learned to prioritize based on long-term impact and optimize my energy investment. This is always the case at work – there are many exciting possible initiatives to pursue, but there are not infinite time or resources to pursue them all. Through my MBA experience, I learned to weigh project impact alongside organizational priorities. That lesson equipped me to confidently say no to less impactful initiatives, and clearly communicate the rationale behind those decisions. This practice strengthened my leadership and fostered trust with my team.”
Kirsten Tenney Bush, University of Florida (Warrington)

5) Pick Your Spots: “The biggest lesson I learned came from teamwork. Business school has a lot of teamwork and therefore different approaches to problem-solving and getting work done. I had to balance sitting back and letting other people lead with knowing when to step up and lean into my experience and expertise.

I was able to directly apply this lesson at work. Even as the head of the department, it is important for me to step back and open up space for my team to stretch and grow. At the same time, I have to know when to step into the process and take the reins. As a result, I have seen some of my team members take on more responsibility and grow.”
Shanon Muir, University of Michigan (Ross)

6) Focus On Listening: “As we progress in our careers and become more senior in our roles, we become increasingly used to being “right”, and don’t often welcome opposing views. Re-entering the classroom and being one of many experienced professionals, with very different backgrounds, cultures, and ideas, this NUS EMBA was a great opportunity for me to listen more and talk less. Learning from others, seeking diverse perspectives, and thereby challenging my own preconceived ideas and notions, has been a humbling exercise, and something I’ve personally grown from. Coming back to work, I’ve sought to ensure I ask for input from everyone and that I’m open to being challenged. This has resulted in a culture of inclusivity, growth, and far more innovative problem solving.”
Antonie Jagga, National University of Singapore

7) Invest In Relationships: “The most significant lesson I learned during my MBA was the importance of building relationships and investing in others. As Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” implying that a company’s culture ultimately determines its success, regardless of how effective its strategy may be. At work, I applied this lesson by fostering a positive and inclusive culture, emphasizing open communication, collaboration, and employee development. I approached building these relationships with the same intentionality as I did with my cohort over the past two years. This focus on culture not only boosted team morale and engagement but also led to improved overall performance and sustained success.”
Aida E. Adams, Texas A&M (Mays)

8) Never Stop Questioning: “I started my MBA thinking I did not deserve to be there, because my background was different from a traditional MBA student. What I quickly learned is that many of us felt disqualified to be there, and we were all dealing with insecurity on some level. Vulnerability is a great equalizer and provides the opportunity for enhanced learning and connection if you choose to engage those feelings honestly. The academic setting is designed to interrogate our realities and provide an opportunity to think differently, ask questions, and engage thoughtfully. I learned that those practices are not only good in business school, but are also vitally important to be an effective leader. I often use these techniques to guide my teams, particularly as we are entering into a time of rapid growth and transformation as an organization. Desiree Thomas, UC Irvine (Merage)

9) Understand The Whole Process: “For me, I believe the overall holistic approach to the MBA, introducing us to the full scope of thinking about leadership, execution, and operations, has been the biggest lesson for me. In other words, let me draw from an example of my nautical days. Even if you’re not a plumber or electrician, you should understand how boat systems work (e.g., basics of marine engines, how a marine toilet operates) in order to efficiently and safely operate a vessel. Similarly, while you may not be an accountant or logistics specialist, its crucial you learn to speak the language and understand the key issues or foundational principles that those fields rely on so that you can be an effective and thoughtful leader or proverbial captain of the ship.”
Bernard P. Chang, University of Oxford (Saïd)

10) Recognize the Importance of Negotiation: “One of my favorite lessons from my MBA is the importance of negotiation skills. It’s crucial in handling difficult conversations like challenging performance appraisals or engaging with internal stakeholders. I’ve learned to empathize, anticipate outcomes, and strategize accordingly. Now, I meticulously analyze upcoming conversations, prepare thoroughly, and negotiate win-win solutions. I prioritize open dialogue and seek mutually beneficial outcomes, ultimately bringing the best to the organization.”
Marcela Mesa, University of Georgia (Terry)

10) Embrace Lifelong Learning: “My MBA taught me that real growth comes from committing yourself as much to learning as to doing, to show up with as much humility as confidence, and to run at the unknown with curiosity. It taught me that a learning experience like an MBA is transformational experience — meaning it is more than simply knowing more. I am now forever changed as a leader and a businessperson. For most of my career, I viewed what I didn’t know as weakness. I now fully embrace what I don’t know as an opportunity for growth. A few weeks after graduation I will attend a week-long session at Harvard for executives leading front-end innovation. The learning journey continues.”
Michael Thorne-Begland, University of Virginia (Darden)

“In anticipation of starting our Negotiations course with Professor Robert Lount, I had many reservations about the in-class exercises. Even with my initial skepticism, I knew this would be one of my favorite classes after the first session. I soon realized that my perception of negotiating had long been misunderstood as and equated to heated debates. Through Professor Lount’s guidance, my perspective was altered and with my learnings, I now understand negotiations aren’t contentious disagreements, but are an effective way to ensure you have the information you need to make decisions, advocate your positioning, leverage diverse tactics depending on the context, remain open to integrated solutions, and ultimately reach the best possible agreement with someone else.

Overall, the Negotiations course was transformative for me and reshaped how I have conversations at work – with more confidence and poise. As a result, I am better at balancing transparency, maintaining integrity, preparation, collaboration, sustaining emotional composure, and building synergies.
Jené Pulliam, Ohio State (Fisher)

12) Practice Empathy: “One of the most significant lessons I learned during my MBA at Wharton was the paramount importance of empathy in leadership, particularly during challenging situations. This insight became vividly clear through a leadership venture organized by the McNulty Institute. Here, my classmates and I manned a tall ship, navigating it under harsh conditions with limited sleep and only the basic necessities. The experience, coupled with the intense demands of the Wharton EMBA program—marked by tight deadlines and numerous competing commitments—underscored how critical empathy is. In a diverse class with many backgrounds and nationalities, practicing empathy, assuming positive intent, and supporting one another proved essential for our collective learning and success. I’ve applied this lesson at work by fostering a team environment where empathy is valued as a foundational element, enhancing our collaboration and enabling us to thrive even during the most challenging projects.”
Claudia Olsson, Wharton School

 

DON’T MISS: 

BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBAS OF 2024

BIGGEST REGRETS OF EXECUTIVE MBAS