Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Donald Howard
Assistant Manager
CaroMont Regional Medical Center
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
As an Assistant Manager, I provide support, direction, and guidance to my staff. My department consists of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Massage Therapists, and Front Office Specialists. Each staff member has different needs. While earning my Jack Welch MBA, I implemented and even practiced concepts used to assess differentiation and emotional intelligence. I referenced John Kotter often from his book Leading Change and created urgency as I attempted to transition through his eight steps. The learning was practical. In my role, I wear many hats including being a coach, mentor, trusted advisor, and clinician. The ultimate goal for me is to be a servant leader to my team and so they know I care.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?:
The JWMI curriculum strategically guided me through a rigorous path of learning that increased my confidence, provided me with new wisdom, exposed me to a wealth of knowledge from leaders in healthcare and other professions. As a result, I can compellingly present data through stories and reach a logical conclusion. In addition, I have more significant insights into financial terminology such as internal rate of return, return on investment, nominal payback, and the time value of money.
The Jack Welch MBA program taught me to plan weekly and wisely! As a result, I added two lead therapy positions to my team and am training and mentoring these individuals. In addition, a few days after completing the Jack Welch MBA program, I gained the confidence to interview for the Director of Rehabilitation position at my organization.
LOOKING BACK AT WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT AN ONLINE PROGRAM WHEN YOU FIRST EMBARKED, WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSION NOW? DID IT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS VIA DQ BOARDS, EOP VIDEOS, FACULTY ETC?:
My overall impression is that the Jack Welch MBA program was carefully contrived. Classes are built on each other to provide essential outcomes focused on people management, organizational change, culture, speed and efficiency, getting every brain in the game, and last but certainly not least finding ways to celebrate your people! JWMI was intentional and diligent about selecting faculty, staff, and advisors that interact with students frequently. The registration process was terrific and efficient. The multiple start dates provided a hassle-free, no wait registration process. Every conversation I had with the JWMI staff was highly professional and polite. That speaks volumes. The discussion questions (DQs), were a great way to foster critical thinking and engage in healthy dialogue. On one occasion I wrote a “lightweight” DQ and received a “lightweight” grade, never again, message received, you can’t just phone this program in and expect to earn high marks.
Please share any advice for new students embarking on the MBA journey.
- You are embarking on a fantastic journey.
- Take full advantage of all the coaches that are available to you.
- Develop a good working relationship with professors and peers.
- Embrace the new learnings and growth you will experience and believe you are meant to be here!
- What you deposit you can withdraw, at times with great interest and return on investment!
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