Exploring New Strategies and a Renewed Vision for Leadership
As CEO and Managing Partner at Suann Ingle Associates, Nancy Geenen was looking for a fresh perspective on growing her company. She found it in the Owner/President Management program at Harvard Business School. Having completed the first of three units in the program, she has learned new approaches to creating value and inspiring employees. She shares some of her experiences and how they have enhanced her leadership skills.
How would you describe your experience attending Unit 1 of OPM?
OPM provides an intensive, exciting, and focused opportunity to improve every aspect of my business and leadership skills. When I entered the program, I was confident that my commitment to uninterrupted learning and strategic thinking would change me as well as my company. Living and studying with executives from different industries inspired me to push myself beyond my comfort zone. The professors were experts, both in their fields of study and in their ability to teach, and they actually received standing ovations at the conclusion of each session.
What were your objectives when you entered the program?
My goal was to learn something new about myself and my business—to be able to do old things in new ways and expand my vision of my company's growth potential. At Suann Ingle Associates, we want to innovate, fail fast, learn quickly, and be defensive and decisive about every aspect of the business.
What have been some of the highlights of your experience so far?
The professors and the classroom experience are amazing! At first, it was daunting to be in the classroom again. But each professor knew my name on day one, had background information about me and my business, and seemed to know how to inspire me to participate and improve.
OPM is unlike any of my graduate school programs. Every detail—including the technology, classrooms, snack breaks, group living spaces, team projects, pace of assignments, and administrative staff—is carefully planned, piloted, and tested so that the learning experience is the only challenge each student faces.
The camaraderie of my living group was invaluable. It was camp life for adults, focused on learning about business. I made lifelong friends from all points of the compass, and when I travel, I will make many side trips to see these new friends.
What impact has the program had on your company?
It was a difficult decision to step away from my company for three weeks, but my colleagues encouraged, cajoled, and even cheered me. While I was away, everyone stepped up so that all of the everyday tasks were completed on time and on budget. Just as important, our clients are excited to learn that we are investing in our business in this way, and they routinely ask for stories about my experience in the program.
Even though I have completed only the first unit, I have already honed my business growth objectives and become more focused on inspiring the leaders in my company to think strategically about the manner in which we deliver services to our clients. As I make decisions, I often hear Professor Lynda Applegate's voice in my head asking, "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"