Investing in your Business and Career
While progressing through his career, Casey Baugh has always recognized the need to advance his capabilities in order to meet the latest industry challenges. To that end, this senior vice president at Vivint, Inc. has repeatedly turned to Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education—completing nine programs to date and becoming the first participant to receive the HBS Certificate of Management Excellence. As Baugh prepares to begin his tenth program at HBS, he reflects on how executive education has kept his skillset and mindset on the cutting edge.
You've completed nearly 10 programs at HBS Executive Education. What keeps you coming back to HBS?
For me, it's practical. The different programs I've taken have focused on topics of interest or in areas in which I wanted to improve. I didn't have the opportunity to go to business school; I jumped right into my profession. In order to add the most value to my company, I've realized that I needed additional skills. Beyond that, I've come away from these experiences with inspiration and have discovered ideas that have created tangible results for my business.
How have you benefitted from the executive education format?
The format allowed me to learn things that will help my business grow and reach the next level. It's given me the time to reflect—to step away from my business for a week at a time, learn the latest research, and associate with accomplished executives from diverse industries all over the world. It's allowed me to implement new tools in my business and then see dynamic results the following quarter.
The educational experience I've had at HBS is the exact opposite of what I experienced in college. It's much more applicable and much more enjoyable. The cases cover challenges and problems that I've faced in my business. It's a different type of education.
You've completed a Comprehensive Leadership Program along with several Focused Programs at HBS. Can you describe the benefits of those different experiences?
The Program for Leadership Development (PLD) was awesome for many different reasons. The global experience that I had was amazing. I especially appreciated the networking benefits that were made possible by the length of the program. Its focus on general management allowed me to study foundational topics and broaden my business acumen. The other piece that was quite useful was the personal coaching aspect of the program. The 360-degree feedback showed me blind spots that I didn't realize existed. As a result of that experience, I've made adjustments that have helped me in my career and business.
With HBS Executive Education's Focused Programs, I've been able to dedicate a week to a specific topic that I've wanted to improve. Every time I've completed one of those programs, I've left with tools that I could immediately apply to my business.
Why did you decide to send several of your employees to executive education programs?
Several reasons. For one, many of these people are at a point in their careers where they have the highest potential to make the biggest impact. I wanted to give them the same opportunities that I had in order to make deliberate decisions on where they’re going to spend their time and energy going forward.
The second benefit comes from having key leaders with the same experience. When we all speak the same language and have similar reference points, we reach a solution faster—or progress the agenda more quickly—when discussing changes, initiatives, or strategies within our organization.
You're about to take the Strategic Negotiations program at HBS. Do you think you'll attend another program after this one?
Yes. I've mapped out which programs interest me, and my personal strategy is to come back to HBS every three to six months as my schedule allows. Sometimes I bring colleagues with me as an alternative to a leadership retreat.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering a program at HBS?
Pick a topic that's most interesting to you. You have to want to make the investment in your personal development or education. All of the colleagues I've sent to HBS have received a great deal of value from it and have come back for other programs. I would say that you have to just come out and experience it for yourself.