Inside Stanford MBA: My Top 5 Takeaways
As I approach my MBA graduation from Stanford University, I’ve been reflecting on this transformative journey. My time at Stanford, following a career at Shell and leading to a future at Bain & Company, has provided invaluable lessons for personal and professional growth. Sharing these insights with the non-disclosure community is especially meaningful to me, as it’s an opportunity to contribute to the collective wisdom of a place that has profoundly shaped who I am. Here are my top five takeaways — I hope they resonate with you and inspire your own journey.
Takeaway #1: Emotional Bids Are Key to Building Stronger Relationships
One of the most impactful lessons I learned at Stanford came from the renowned “Touchy Feely” class, formally known as Interpersonal Dynamics, taught by Dikla Carmel-Hurwitz. This class, a favorite for over 45 years, uses intimate “T-group” sessions where groups of 12 students delve into interpersonal relationships.
A pivotal concept from this class is the “emotional bid” — a verbal or nonverbal cue that signals a desire for connection.
Emotional bids can be as subtle as a casual comment such as “I had a tough day at work,” or a gesture such as a smile or a pat on the back. They often go unnoticed because people are hesitant to be vulnerable. I realized I needed to be more attentive to these bids from others and also take the initiative to make them myself. As an introvert, I find this challenging, but it’s a crucial step toward deepening relationships. Even if the bid isn’t reciprocated, the effort to connect is valuable.
Being more aware of and responsive to emotional bids can strengthen relationships. Are you paying attention to the emotional bids in your interactions? How might you take the first step in making these bids yourself?
Takeaway #2: Embrace Holistic Wellness to Excel Professionally and Personally
During the “Leadership Perspectives” class, taught by Charles O’Reilly and Joel Peterson, I had the privilege of hearing John Donahoe, former CEO of Bain & Company and current CEO of Nike. One of his most profound insights was the importance of holistic wellness — addressing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health simultaneously — to achieve top performance.
John emphasized that world-class athletes often have multiple coaches and view seeking support as a strength, whereas executives sometimes see it as a weakness. This made me realize the importance of asking for help and prioritizing my well-being.
To be centered, focused, and present in all aspects of life, embracing holistic wellness is essential.
Incorporating holistic wellness into daily routines can significantly improve performance and happiness. Taking the first step by asking for support could be transformative.
Takeaway #3: Define and Live by Your Core Values for Authentic Leadership
In a conversation with Professor Joel Peterson, who teaches “Engineering a Remarkable Life,” I learned the critical importance of knowing and staying true to your values. Joel graciously shared a key insight: aligning your time, money, and mindshare with your core values is essential for a fulfilling life.
This lesson prompted me to reflect deeply on my values and seek guidance from a coach, Maria Pasos-Nuñez. Through this process, I identified my three core values: Integrity, Service Leadership, and Holistic Well-Being. Understanding why these values matter to me and how to live by them has been transformative.
It’s not enough to merely know your values; you must actively “walk the talk” by making decisions that reflect them. Have you identified your core values and aligned your actions accordingly? Reflecting on and living by your values can lead to greater authenticity and satisfaction.
Takeaway #4: People Will Remember How You Made Them Feel
One of the most enlightening classes I’ve taken is “Conversations in Management,” taught by Irving Grousbeck, co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, and Tony Detter. This course focuses on handling challenging professional conversations through role-playing and reflection, guided by case protagonists.
A powerful lesson from this class is the importance of how you make people feel during difficult conversations. For example, when delivering tough news, such as firing someone, it’s crucial to be compassionate yet direct and firm.
I learned that people often won’t remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
This insight resonated with me, particularly after recalling the movie “Up in the Air,” where George Clooney’s character travels the country firing people for a living. In professional settings, approaching such conversations with empathy and clarity can make a significant difference. Practice these conversations in advance to ensure you communicate with compassion and decisiveness. How can you apply this approach in your interactions to leave a positive impact?
Takeaway #5: Leverage Humor as a Leadership Tool
One of my favorite electives at Stanford was “Humor: Serious Business,” taught by Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas, and Connor Diemand-Yauman. This course highlights the significant role humor can play in leadership by fostering creativity, enhancing social bonds, increasing trust, reducing stress, and humanizing leaders.
Contrary to the belief that you need to be serious to be taken seriously, research shows that humor can be a powerful tool for creating a positive and dynamic workplace culture. Practical tips from the class include identifying and empowering culture champions, infusing humor into routine processes, and establishing fun traditions such as talent shows or surprise awards.
Embracing humor in the workplace doesn’t mean compromising professionalism; instead, it can lead to a more engaged and productive team. Have you considered how you can incorporate humor into your leadership style to build a more cohesive and motivated team? Start small by introducing light-hearted moments into meetings and watch how it transforms your work environment.
I am committed to applying these lessons and encourage you to reflect on your own experiences. How can you incorporate these insights into your professional and personal life to drive meaningful change?
Article reviewed by Professor Glenn Kramon
