The Perfect Learning Environment

Why is the program structured in on-campus and off-campus modules?

It's very hard for high-caliber executives to take seven weeks off from their work, and our international participants find it especially difficult to leave their families for that length of time. We find this innovative modular structure to be very effective, because it gives us more flexibility in how we do things—and gives participants more time to absorb the material back at their companies.

How does the learn-and-apply format of GMP benefit participants?

GMP truly is learning in action. During Module 2 they work on their strategy statement and get feedback on it from their peers and faculty. Then we encourage participants to apply one to two key learnings from Module 2 in their workplace during Module 3. They also create a personal case study where they articulate their personal or professional challenge. What is their dilemma? What challenges do they face? What does and doesn't work? How do their colleagues and boss react? Has their leadership style changed? Back on campus for Module 4, the discussion continues.

In what ways does this modular structure benefit the sponsoring companies?

First and foremost, it assures sponsoring companies that they will not lose their key executives for seven straight weeks. That's a big gap to cover, especially considering that many of our participants have important P&L responsibilities. Second, many GMP alumni tell me that the strategy exercise they crafted in Module 2 and personal case studies they discussed in Module 4 are now being implemented at work—and making a huge impact on their company.

What specific opportunities does GMP create for participants?

Breaking the silo mindset opens up a wealth of opportunities. Most people come to the program with some functional background, but need to take on more cross-functional responsibilities. They feel uncomfortable asking questions at that stage because they're supposed to know the answers. GMP is a very safe environment where the goal is to know what questions to ask—because if you don't ask the right questions, you'll never go in the right direction. Learning how to listen also generates opportunities.

How does the diversity of participant industries add to the program?

I'm a very strong believer that you learn from outside your industry. If you follow only your industry, you'll always be number two—because you'll be following the industry leader. There are powerful insights to be gleaned outside your industry, and the fact that we have a diverse group in a noncompeting forum is very important. People initially think, "I'm in the oil industry, and you're in the food industry. We have nothing in common." But early on in the program, they realize that the basic problems they face are common to all industries. This diversity enables them to expand their perspectives.

How do you choose the industry guest speakers for GMP?

We have two kinds of guest speakers. One is the case protagonist, who really enriches the discussion. Participants take a deep dive into the case, and then they hear what really happened from the CEO involved—the case literally comes alive. The second set of guest speakers includes industry leaders who are well known globally or who have transformed a major company in some way. We typically do this as a fireside chat, and CEOs tend to like this format because it's like an informal conversation. We try to get as diverse a group of speakers as possible.

How do most people react when you introduce the case method for the first time?

In the opening session of Module 2, I do a short case to let participants get a flavor of the case method. Nearly every time, GMP participants tell me the case was so fast-paced and exciting that they wanted to keep the discussion going forever. At first, they're a bit shocked by the intensity of the program and reading. But by the third week, people are amazed at how quickly they're sifting through the key issues in the case.

On the flip side, what most surprises you about the GMP participants?

It still surprises me to see a group of people from so many different cultural and industrial backgrounds come together as a unit in such a short time. The sheer diversity of personal interests is exciting—someone is a skydiver or climbs mountains; someone else raises sheep on a farm or trains falcons in Saudi Arabia. I just had dinner with a living group that included a steeplechase runner, a triathlon guy, and someone who bikes over 4,000 miles every year. That wide variety of talent amazes me.