Time Flies

Nine weeks ago I started the MBA program at UC Davis. Nine weeks. The time has absolutely flown by. When I think about what has impressed me the most about the program, there are a few things that stick out in my mind.

The faculty at the Graduate School of Management is extraordinary. I knew about their backgrounds and statistics coming in, but I had no idea the depth and range of knowledge I would find until I got here. All of my professors are experts in their area of study, and beyond that, they are 110% dedicated to seeing us succeed. They push for open communication and class involvement, which keeps everyone involved. I feel very fortunate to be in a program with such highly recognized and accomplished professionals.

Location is another aspect of being at UC Davis that continues to amaze me as time goes on. I came to Davis from New York City, and was nervous about going from a big city to a small town. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know how I would acclimate. The transition has been easier than I imagined. Since the start of the quarter, I have had the opportunity to attend a networking day in San Francisco, a ropes course in Sonoma, wine tasting in Napa, a Net Impact weekend in Lake Tahoe, and a Dean’s reception in Sacramento. All of these activities were with my fellow classmates, and each of them allowed us to learn more about each other, which strengthened the bond that we started building during Orientation.

Learning from my classmates is the most impressive and rewarding aspect of the program thus far. The GSM always boasts “collaboration,” but I was skeptical given the hype that usually surrounds this word and that the business world is, by definition, competitive. I was wrong. The feeling of community when you walk into Gallagher Hall is contagious. There has been nothing but support since the day I started, which has pushed me to excel at everything I do, both inside and outside the classroom. I have no doubt that coming to the Graduate School of Management was the right choice for me, and I can’t wait to find out what the next five quarters will bring.

Great Leaders Tell Great Stories

At a career fair in October, keynote speaker and CEO of Proctor & Gamble, Bob McDonald said, “Great leaders tell great stories. And they have a lot of them on hand.” Mr. McDonald spent the rest of his speech telling numerous anecdotes in order to highlight what he termed his “values-based” system of leadership.

This was prescient advice for a roomful of MBAs vying for the attention of various corporate recruiters attending the career fair. Companies such as Google, GE, Goldman Sachs, and Nike were in attendance. These companies had no shortage of smart, driven people vying for their attention on that day. After standing in line to speak with the corporate representative, I only had a few moments to form an impression that would hopefully result in my resume getting a closer look or a response to my email. How can one successfully accomplish this?

To successfully make an impression, you need to capture your audience’s attention and one way you can do this is by telling a great story. This isn’t something that is easy to do off the top of your head. However, if you sit down and write four sentences about each project, job or achievement in your life, you’ll soon start developing a small arsenal of stories that you can use to articulate your point. Don’t forget to take note of your failures and disappointments in life because those episodes often make the best stories.

Very quickly, you’ll see how these stories help you become a better communicator. They can become the bedrock of your business school applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviews. Later on, after business school, those stories are great tools for successfully persuading clients and coworkers.

Mr. McDonald’s point may seem obvious. However, there is a stark contrast between the stories we tell our friends and the hyperbole that often finds its way into our first draft applications and cover letters. However, when honed for a professional audience, the things we as individuals find important enough to share with our friends will also make positive impressions on those with whom we seek to make a professional connection.