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What My MBA at Harvard Didn’t Teach Me

Ever notice how popular those “what my alma mater didn’t teach me” articles are becoming? You’d think out-of-touch academics were as commonplace as bad bosses. You probably know the script by now: A world-weary writer opines about the lessons he learned too late. He’ll yammer on about schmoozing, taking risks, managing up, and cultivating a personal brand. In the end, the author gets his 50,000 hits on Linkedin and moves on.

And readers are none the wiser.

Of course, there is a difference between wagging a finger at Podunk State and Harvard Business School. In reality, Benjamin Faw’s essay, “What My MBA at Harvard Did Not Teach Me” doesn’t live up to its title. Faw, a 2014 HBS graduate, recently posted this swan song on The Harbus. Don’t worry, you won’t read any eviscerations of HBS’ vaunted curriculum here. Instead, Faw upends myths that critics hold about HBS, while providing copy certain to find its way into their next promotional brochure (or someone’s graduation speech).

Still, Faw makes some good points about what really distinguishes exceptional schools from excellent ones. If you think all HBS students are entitled and money-grubbing, here are some stereotypes that Faw debunks in the pages of The Harbus:

• Experiences are expendable: The MBA critic will say that most of what you learn in the class can be obtained more cheaply and more effectively by buying the books, studying on your own, and watching classes online.  In reality, no case study, framework, or amazing guest speaker can match the experience of learning from your peers, both inside and outside of the classroom. You can learn material in many ways, but the most meaningful learning opportunities require in-person experiences and shared time together. The full-time, in-class HBS MBA experience provides both.

• More is better: HBS teaches us that we can’t have everything.  From day one, we are inundated with endless mixers, social gatherings, and recruiting events.  We are also exposed to hundreds of classmates who each have an incredible story to tell and would be incredible additions to our network.  However, we can’t pretend to really get to know them all, just like we can’t prepare well for every single interview.  We have to make tough decisions.  We have to invest – fully and deeply – in the few people and things that make us the happiest.  Only then can we make a truly meaningful impact as future business leaders.

• Seeking out and receiving feedback is a waste: No one is perfect, regardless of how impressive their resume.  Everyone can improve if they put effort in and use their friends and peers in the process. After a semester of cases and guest lectures one theme became clear: success post business school depends less on your IQ and more on your ability to work with others. Can you motivate a team and accomplish a common task that is impossible to achieve alone? I would say no if you cannot accept and give the honest feedback that allows a team to function at an optimal level.  As uncomfortable as it is to give and receive feedback, the MBA class contains people who have a vested interest in your success and want to see you “Be all that you can be.” Seeking out these people and letting them play a direct role in your development creates the potential for amazing growth.

• Money matters more than people: Prior to attending business school, I was warned that HBS was filled with people willing to do anything to make inordinate amounts of money and that it is not the place to meet or build true friendships.  Having kept an open mind, I will graduate from Harvard Business School in a few days with many authentic relationships that have already been incredibly rewarding and made me a better version of myself.  These amazing bonds are priceless and define my experience here, helping me learn that people matter far more than money.

For additional insights from Faw, click on The Harbus link below.

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Source: The Harbus