Finding Your Unique Leadership Voice
Mihaela Nistor is Chief Risk Officer of Private Bank Americas, a division of a large international bank. With a busy career that has spanned multiple industries and three continents, she's no stranger to global experiences. But in the HBS General Management Program (GMP), Nistor found that the diverse perspectives of faculty and peers helped her think differently, reflect on her own leadership approach, and come to view her business in a much broader context.
How would you describe your GMP learning experience?
GMP is an immersive, holistic, transformative experience that elevates you to a whole new way of thinking. Because you are away from your normal environment, you give the program your full attention and energy.
You are exposed to many different industries and to people from all over the world with different cultures and backgrounds. All of your classmates read the same case, but you come at it from different points of view, guided by a fantastic faculty. That diversity of perspectives creates a "think outside the box" experience. Many factors come together to result in an "aha" moment practically at the end of every session. This is how your mind begins to change and expand.
What surprised you most about your GMP experience?
Though I've met HBS people throughout my organization, there's something about the HBS community that I only discovered by being here. I think it goes back to the values being taught—what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world. It's not just about business—it's about doing good, innovating, and connecting with others.
How did your interactions with other executives contribute to your learning?
As you go up in the organization, you feel increasingly lonely. That's especially true for women. GMP helps you feel less alone because you meet so many people who are going through the same things. The program gave me time for reflection and introspection, and also gave me a rare opportunity to open up in a safe environment. The women of GMP 16 are creating our own Facebook group to support one another and to share our experiences and insights.
Which aspects of the curriculum stand out?
During the leadership component of the program, you're not just going through a standard exercise or formula for success. You focus on your own journey, working to understand yourself and how you can become a more authentic leader. In the process, you find your own voice and your own leadership style. The result was not 130 leaders who are all the same—but rather 130 individuals who are all better leaders in their own unique ways.
How has GMP made you a better leader?
At work, you are focused on your company and your environment. GMP helps you see everything in context—what other industries are doing, how the macroeconomic conditions affect business, and what issues are emerging. That 50,000-foot view is immensely valuable. When you appreciate broader business and economic issues, you see your own company and industry in a whole new light.
I now have a better understanding of business tools as well as better technical skills. I will be a stronger, more well-rounded, and more effective manager. But I am also a more self-aware human being with a much deeper sense of how I can contribute to the organization.