Challenge Your Thinking and Transform Your Future
When Paula Davila Martinez enrolled in the General Management Program (GMP) at HBS, she was prepared to focus on managing her future and making a difference. What she didn't expect was how the diversity of thinking and collective learning would expand her business expertise and unlock new opportunities for leadership growth.
How would you sum up your GMP experience?
The program is truly transformational. GMP has given me a unique opportunity to remove myself from the day-to-day at work and home, and spend almost two months on campus immersed in new learning experiences. This time with myself has allowed me to pause and do some deep thinking about the future in terms of where I'm going and how I want to make a difference.
What was your main objective in attending the program?
Coming from a specialty function, I wanted to widen my business perspective, prepare myself for cross-functional responsibilities outside my area of expertise, and move into a business generalist role. GMP is an invaluable resource for people looking to make such a move.
Did you find the HBS case method helpful to your growth as a leader?
I did a lot of individual preparation for the cases, but quickly realized that the true value comes from the collective learning that is unlocked through the diversity of thinking. These learning moments come not only from the faculty, but also from other participants. The questions that the faculty asks during the case discussions really challenge your thinking and widen your perspective. You can't hide behind ambiguous answers—you need to put yourself out there and explain why. This pushes you to look at a problem from many different perspectives and make a decision.
How are you applying your new management skills in day-to-day tasks?
During the program, I tried to make a link between the daily learnings and their applicability to my company, my function, and myself as an individual. Now I'm using some of the strategy, innovation, and leadership frameworks in my day-to-day work and decision-making processes. I've also reallocated how I spend my time as a leader and reduced the time I spend managing daily issues—I'm much more focused on managing the future.
What surprised you most about the program?
I came to GMP with a clear expectation of enhancing my business and leadership skills as well as my strategic thinking capabilities—but I left feeling totally transformed as a person. This program helps you to understand who you are as an individual, what your values are, and what your purpose is, both personally and professionally.
How will your GMP learnings help you along your career path?
GMP helped me to look at my professional and personal challenges with a totally new perspective. The faculty empowered me to think about how I can use that sense of purpose to make a difference in the world and, most importantly, in the lives of the people who surround me.