The GMP Difference

Why did your company send you to GMP?

I approached our chief financial officer about going to the program, and he was 100 percent supportive. So I had a great letter of recommendation from him, from my divisional president, and from my father, a physician who is recognized as one of the true leaders within this space. Harvard has a longstanding history in my family—my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all went to Harvard. So it's always been a personal dream of mine as well.

What were your goals in coming to the program?

I've grown throughout my career with Stryker, but I also recognized that the General Management Program would provide a broader education and network. I wanted to take advantage of the diverse global cultures and learn from the struggles and situations that other businesses have experienced. So this was a natural next step for me in my career. I also knew that this program would empower me to reach a much more senior executive position within the company. And that's been a proven fact—GMP has continued to help my career along the way.

How would you describe the living group experience?

The living group experience was one of the most valuable parts of the program. Each of us had unique characteristics and backgrounds. We shared everything, from getting up early in the morning and reviewing cases to staying up half the night and preparing for the next day's projects. Because I didn't work with these people on a daily basis, I was able to be more open about how I was feeling about a particular situation. At the end of the day, I knew there would be no judgment.

What did you take away from the living group experience?

From living in a diverse group, I have a better appreciation and understanding of how to communicate with people who come from completely different professional and cultural backgrounds. I've had years of experience with that at Stryker, having led the international team for so many years, but I learned amazing new things in my living group that I hadn't even realized before. We remain strong personal friends and sounding boards who can give each other valuable advice. It's a great feeling to know that you have that kind of network and friendship.

What have you personally accomplished as a result of the GMP experience?

When I was finishing up at Harvard, I was part of the due-diligence process of a new acquisition. So I was thrust immediately into a completely new role of integrating a $135 million company into the Stryker organization. Because of my GMP experience, I was able to smooth the transition for new employees from a very small startup who were used to much quicker processes and fewer regulations. I was also able to integrate this brand-new technology into a heavily competitive market and enable physicians to recognize that this was going to be a great treatment for patients. Over the last 12 months, I've been very focused on our huge responsibility to make economically responsible products as well.

How has your GMP experience contributed to the success of your company?

We've been struggling in a very competitive environment for quite some time with great products, but we didn't have a full portfolio of the different types of stroke technologies that a responsible company within this space needs to have. GMP provided a pathway to realizing that opportunity. We're now recognized as a complete stroke care solution company for physicians worldwide, and at the same time we're creating and distributing lifesaving products for patients across the globe.

Have you kept in touch with members of your GMP living group?

My living group feels strongly connected even though we're from all parts of the world. Heading back to our companies, we were all facing difficult situations, some personal and some professional. We actually developed a GMP 13 Facebook page to share not only the professional experiences that we've had over this last year, but also updates on family.

I think the GMP network—and knowing that I've got six great people out there who are always going to be my friends in the future—is really fantastic. One classmate is in the same type of business, so she's had a lot of the same challenges. We've had the opportunity to see each other numerous times over the last year and work together on ideas for tackling and resolving those situations.

How has the network made a difference for you?

Since graduating from GMP a year ago, I have felt a presence within my life that I didn't have before—the extraordinary global network that Harvard Business School offers. The professors are not only great educational leaders, but also extraordinary individuals who continue to reach out to us. That provides me with a sense of security that I never had before in the same way. And for the first time in my life, I am reaching out to people, keeping relationships going, and sharing experiences. Prior to GMP, I tended to be a little more reserved and kept things within myself. The Harvard connection gives you a lot of strength, encouragement, and confidence.

How has GMP changed you?

I think differently than I did before I went to Harvard. Now I can broaden my assessment of the situation at hand and therefore feel better equipped to handle those challenges moving forward. GMP also provided Stryker with an opportunity to see me as a strong executive leader within the company, and I'm receiving enormous support from the company because of this. I'm very excited about the future.

I feel much more confident in the decisions that I make today simply because I've been provided with the skill set to believe in the decisions that I make. GMP has enabled me to look at situations more broadly. So I can provide strategic insight into a lot of our business planning needs, come up with innovative solutions, and present them with confidence to my executive leader team. In turn, they are recognizing that I am a more confident employee and a stronger leader for the company.