Gaining New Perspectives on Leadership

How would you describe your experience attending the program?

It was an immensely stimulating experience. Every day was intense but extremely rewarding. I found myself surrounded by high-caliber professionals from every industry and every walk of life—and inspired and challenged by some of the most accomplished professors in the world. I learned how to look inward and to seek input and insight from others, and this gave me a new perspective on both my job and my life outside work. I was fortunate that both my company and my family were supportive, which allowed me to truly immerse myself in the HBS learning environment and get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What were your objectives in attending the program?

One of my objectives was to take a step back and attempt to see the forest for the trees—from both personal and career perspectives. The curriculum and overall format offered at GMP focused on not only the hard skills, but also the much-overlooked and underestimated soft skills that are necessary to become a successful leader. I was also looking to expand my personal and professional network on a global scale, and GMP allowed me to do this in spades.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

The friendships I was able to build will truly last a lifetime. Indeed, this was one of the most impactful and rewarding aspects of the overall GMP experience. Specifically, the living group setting truly added immense value to the program. Living and working side-by-side with seven perfect strangers from disparate backgrounds, industries, and cultures helped me to hone certain interpersonal skills that are essential to being a successful leader and a better person. In addition, the networking dinners offered great opportunities to take a break from the day-to-day grind of the program and connect with classmates that I might not have had the opportunity to meet in class. These connections remain strong today, as we all proactively seek one another out when we are traveling on business in a fellow classmate's country or city. Last but not least, having the rare opportunity to speak with GMP alumnus and astronaut Terry Virts live from the International Space Station was certainly an unexpected highlight that could have happened only at GMP.

What did you learn that you can apply to your job on a daily basis?

I learned how important it is to understand and come to terms with the things I can and cannot control in my life and at work. The lessons I learned at GMP have given me greater clarity on how to sift through the noise of everyday work and prioritize my day-to-day tasks.

What surprised you most about the program?

The biggest surprise was the immense value of the four-week off-campus session between Module 2 and Module 4, which allowed us to work on our own case studies and personal learning. Initially I was skeptical about leaving campus after four weeks and then coming back again for three more, but this turned out to be a truly integral part of the overall experience. The initial four weeks were fast-paced and went by much faster than I had expected. Having some off-campus time in Module 3 to reflect on that experience and test the waters back at work allowed me to prepare and retool my approach to the final three weeks and maximize the overall experience at HBS.

How do you expect this program to help you in your career path?

In the end, a good general manager and leader must know how to work with and motivate people. GMP taught me how to rethink my approach to interacting with people both above and below me in a positive and productive manner. The program also taught me to reevaluate what is important in life, which will surely influence my career decisions going forward. Also, the connections I made at GMP and HBS have already proved to be fruitful, and I believe they will continue to have an impact throughout my career.