Written by: Joya Scarlata, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Interra Information Technologies
It recently dawned on me that I am halfway done with the very last class of my MBA program.
What a ride it has been, considering the fact that I believed that I was absolutely done with school after I completed my Masters. But in about five weeks, I will be a graduate from the Jack Welch Management Institute (JWMI).
Twelve classes. Three Years. As I reflect back on my Jack Welch MBA journey, I want to bare my soul and impart a few takeaways that I have picked up during my time in the JWMI program.
Whether you know it or not, anyone can be a leader
I admittedly once had a very rigid, singular view of what leadership should look like. I believed that it was defined by a job title, held by top management officials of corporations.
Boy, was I way off!
Over time, I have learned that leadership is complex, multi-faceted, and that everyone (yes, everyone) has a unique leadership style. Leadership goes way beyond a job title – it is about empathy, candor, transparency, and so much more.
Do not be afraid to ask questions and reach out for help
Some of us tend to be reluctant to reach out for help—perhaps it is due to fear, embarrassment, or just plain ol’ shyness. I fell under this category for quite some time, and it held me back. This type of mindset prevented me from growing as a person.
But this changed once I started my MBA journey. Due to an incredible community of professors, staff, and students – my JWMI family, as I fondly call them – I realized that it’s ok to ask questions. Why? It’s because there are people who are always willing to help you when you need it. There are always going to be people to support you, challenge you, celebrate you, and to provide advice. You just have to seek it. I did and I am so thankful that I have developed a much-needed support system.
Expand your creativity
At a recent JWMI virtual networking event, the following question was asked: “How has the MBA program changed you?”
For me, it has made me more creative and it has also improved my critical thinking. Over the past three years, I have been challenged numerous time to tackle problems from different angles and to look at issues from various perspectives.
I was suddenly armed with tools, methodologies, and processes that give me the means to solve a particular problem in a number of ways. My MBA journey allowed me to look inward at my own organization and find ways to improve efficiency and streamline certain processes.
I strongly believe that being creative allows you to see things from a different angle and it helps you become a better problem solver.
Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!
Celebration was one of Jack Welch’s rules of leadership and it really resonates with me. It is important for leaders to celebrate the wins—both big and small—and to create an atmosphere of recognition as it not only motivates yourself but those around you.
As Jack once said,
Work is too much a part of life not to recognize moments of achievement. Make a big deal out of them. If you don’t, no one will.
Deciding to pursue my MBA has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It has made me more confident, more articulate, bolder, and has made me a better leader.
…And in five weeks, I will be celebrating!