Angry people who want attention are all around you.
I just went to an info session for my dual degree program, excited to learn about what is to come.
30 minutes in, things got weird, people started yelling, I felt incredibly uncomfortable.
Why? Some people felt that they had been kept in the dark and/or misled by the institution. Now, they want to know how they can change it. Some were upset that they've paid money for false promises. At least, that's how they made it sound. However, many (not all) failed to ask for anything actionable. They just wanted to vent out loud….loudly.
I have some issues with how the situation was handled on both sides. Yes, I came out with a few doubts about the competence of the program. Much of this doubt was from my agreement that much of the information is shrouded or uncertain and by the poor, deflective answers given by the panelists. But, much of the wavering in confidence comes from my peers' behavior.
When I decided to get an MBA from a highly ranked university, my hope was that I was the worst and least qualified person there.
Why didn't I want to be successful? Why do I want the challenge of competing against people better than me? Because the point is growth. The point is not to go get a piece of paper and say that I'm better than others.
"Imposter Syndrome" can be a good thing, it means you've surrounded yourself with the right type of people, those who will push you and hold you to a higher standard.
What I saw today, did not give me confidence in some of my peers, or even the system that screened people. Most of the people are upset because, in my opinion, they are feeling regret over the money that they've spent. They're worried they aren't getting the value for what they are paying for. (Or they're trying to get something free because "their scholarship wasn't enough). Some voiced concern with tact and clear arguments, I respect them and have no issue with their problems, the others have some work to do.
On top of the second degree, people are her, first and foremost, to get an MBA. They want to become a business leader.
Yet, what business leader enters a venture with a lack of knowledge and ignores the associated risks? After investing in that venture, if information is still unavailable or the information received is different than the initial assumptions, does a smart leader get upset at people or things other than themselves? Of course not, entrepreneurs don't have external loci of control (is that the right plural for locus?). Risks mean bigger rewards but they also mean (although often neglected) higher chances of failure or negative consequences.
Then the reaction…If you do happen to encounter circumstances that aren't in your favor, it is a smart thing to be proactive and try to swung them in your favor. Those peers of mine with cogent arguments did just that. Those who yelled and devolved into chaos, hurt their own cause. I have a feeling that if they choose to stay, they will benefit greatly (assuming they listen --- which is bold I know) from any classes teaching leadership, effective communication, or anything related to professional soft skills.
I'm sad to see that I'm not working from the bottom up but I have already seen the amazing potential and brilliance of some of my classmates, so I can continue to hope I'm in the bottom 10%.
I have enjoyed my first two weeks at school and am still excited for the rest of the IMBA program as well as my dual degree. When things get difficult, I know that there are marvelous people around me who can support and teach me. For that, I'm lucky and grateful.
I’ll add some positive news just to brighten the mood — I am going to release my first YouTube video chronicling and teaching about my MBA program this weekend. I don’t know exactly how it will turn out, since I haven’t planned it. As I mentioned before though, I will review themes and topics I’m reading and learning about to give a sort of view in without giving away the things I’m contracted not to share. If you have any ideas or things you’d like to learn or talk about, let me know and maybe I can work that in.
Have a great weekend!