After a long and successful career in the aerospace and automotive industries, including 18 years at General Motors (GM), Cathy Yu is still looking for new challenges and next steps. At the suggestion of her leader, she attended the Program for Leadership Development at HBS in order to broaden her perspective on managing and leading people. She built upon that program by participating in three more Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education programs – The Women's Leadership Forum, Competing on Business Analytics and Big Data, and The HR-Executive Suite Connection. In this interview, she describes how her multifaceted learning experience at HBS has changed the way she thinks about leadership.
Why did you want to attend these particular programs at HBS?
Over the past couple of years, I've been actively engaging in senior executive coaching and other talent development initiatives, and I thought it might also be beneficial to look for some academic opportunities. When I shared this aspiration with my manager Michael Arena, who was the Chief Talent Officer for General Motors, he suggested that I look at HBS's Executive Education programs. I first enrolled in the Program for Leadership Development because I wanted to accelerate my growth to become an influential global leader with broad understanding of the business from a global perspective. After that, I chose the Women's Leadership Forum because I've always been passionate about women's professional development. Then came Competing on Business Analytics and Big Data, which I wanted to attend because we're living in this fast-paced, changing world and the economy is rapidly becoming a digital economy. Finally, the HR-Executive Suite Connection was an obvious choice because I'm always looking for opportunities to interact with other HR executives from all over the world and broaden my network.
What was your experience like when you first came to campus?
Everything about the learning experience was great. All of the sessions were dynamic and very productive, with eye-opening cases. I learned not only from faculty members, but also from the project leaders of the different programs, the guest speakers, and my classmates. The entire learning environment was engaging and collaborative, and the format–small-group review of the cases, followed by larger classroom discussions–allowed us to fine-tune our ideas and develop a deeper understanding of the cases. It was a 360-degree experience.
What were your takeaways from the Women's Leadership Forum?
From the very first session, this program offered a broad and diverse perspective. The class was made up of leaders from all over the world, many of whom I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise. The coaching sessions, in particular, were very beneficial because they gave us a way to discuss our own challenges in a small group. I was surprised to discover that we shared so much. Some of the things said by others from completely different cultures felt like they were coming from my own heart. Even though we grew up with very different life and work experiences, we shared a lot when it came to women’s growth and leadership. I came away from the program confident that people across the world have a lot in common, and that we're all in this together. In the end, the most important thing is leadership. It's about how you engage with people, and how you inspire and support a team to achieve one common goal with a shared vision. It's about looking at yourself as a human being and as a leader–the fundamentals you need to work on regardless of your gender.
What inspired you to attend Competing on Business Analytics and Big Data, and what did you learn?
Data and analytics have been growing dramatically in both the automotive industry and HR. Talent analytics is an emerging trend. It provides us with an evidence-based approach to predicting future trends and possibilities, so that we can anticipate what's coming and be more strategic. Data has become increasingly important in helping us partner with businesses and gain competitive advantage. I came away from the program with a much better understanding of the most advanced tools for analyzing predictive data. I think my biggest takeaway was learning that the real purpose behind data is not the data itself, but rather figuring out how to best use it to draw conclusions that support the business. We have been putting a lot of energy into implementing data, but we should be thinking about its true purpose–to help formulate strategy, reach the customer, compete in the marketplace, and drive growth.
What did you gain from your experience in The HR-Executive Suite Connection program?
The participants came from all over the world–many different countries, industries, and organizations–but once again, I found we had a lot in common when it came to the issue of leadership. One of the unique features of this program was that we gathered in our living groups at the end of each day to discuss what we learned in the classroom and prepare our presentations. The small-group atmosphere made it easy to share what we were thinking and learning. Most of what I shared had to do with authentic leadership, the idea that leadership style comes from who you are and what you believe about human nature. That philosophy shapes everything important that I do.
How have you applied what you learned at HBS?
My experience at HBS has helped me start exploring the next chapter of my career. Together, these programs have been transformational–driving me to grow and take on larger leadership roles in both scale and scope, and enabling me to develop a broader view of the business and greater insight into our organization. These programs helped me think deeply about who I am, my life's purpose, and my aspirations. Although I have had a great career, I found that I still have some unexplored passions and unrealized goals that I want to achieve before I retire. I want to continue stepping out of my comfort zone, with the courage and the potential to move ahead into the unknown. The same motivations that have helped me create and capitalize on opportunities–change, innovation, and transformation–are still driving me today.
What advice would you give to someone who is where you were before you came to HBS?
If you have the passion and energy to challenge yourself, to broaden your horizons, I strongly recommend that you look at the HBS Executive Education programs. At HBS, you will be immersed in a diverse community of peers from all over the world. You will learn to be inclusive and truly listen in a non-judgmental way. Be sure to connect with faculty and peers as much as you can, share as much as you can, and ask as many questions as you can.