Pursuing a Personal Approach to Leadership
Christine Soliman is the Business Development Manager for HVAC and Refrigeration at Schneider Electric in California. She recently attended the Developing Yourself as a Leader—Virtual program at Harvard Business School and shared her thoughts on why the program was not only enlightening but also encouraged openness and authenticity.
What did you expect from the program and how did it meet those expectations?
When I applied to the program, I was expecting a generic one-size-fits-most kind of course, but in reality, the program felt very personal. Besides the coaching and our study groups, there were areas and sections that I felt were tailored just for me. The program helped me understand what makes me different and special as a person, which led me to dig into the potential inside me and build on it to become my own authentic version of a leader.
Do any particular sessions stand out for you?
All of the sessions were amazing, but some were life-transforming for me. One that really touched me was an interactive session where I was interviewed to see where I was in my career. So many important questions: What is it that I really want to do? Do I need to reconsider my steps, or should I change directions?
At the time of that interview, I was really successful in my job and getting promoted, but it still wasn't fulfilling me. I started to uncover a lot of pain points, and the program made me reconsider my next steps, giving me tools to help me get where I want to go.
How did the virtual format work for you?
The virtual format has a lot of advantages. With the technology HBS uses to host its online sessions, we could actually see each other while we were talking—the real-time expressions and body language, how the class responded to what was being said—so it was as close as possible to being in person.
Because I'm from California, the great advantage of the virtual format was that I didn't have to move work for twelve weeks to attend the class.. And the networking was amazing. I learned so much about the experiences and backgrounds of my classmates—where they're living and what challenges they're facing.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering the program?
As the program proceeds, you will feel a lot more comfortable about opening up and talking about yourself, your vulnerabilities, and your areas of improvement. Besides being open, my advice would be to not try to act like somebody else, and don't try to impress the professors. Because they're very kind and caring people, they'll admire you for your openness and willingness to be vulnerable. I never felt judged—everybody was opening up and we had a tremendous respect for one another.
The program helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin, knowing that I can achieve whatever I want by just being who I am, not what others want me to be. It was an amazing personal experience of change and growth for me.