Editorial
specializations
Table 1 leadership, whilst through our develop their skills further.”
core strategy of interest (multiple choice) 2008 2007
Accelerate (Soft Skills) program we Part of the Ross School’s flexible program
encourage them to put them into includes a “Leadership Crisis Challenge”. This
Strategy 46.1% 43.2%
practice.” places students in the role of top decision-makers in
General Management 44.0% 42.3%
Finance 43.8% 40.9%
International Management 43.3% 45.5%
Leadership 36.0% 37.0%
Entrepreneurship 34.4% 31.6%
Marketing 30.8% 31.9%
Technology Management 19.6% 22.1%
Operations Management 18.5% 22.1%
Corporate Social Responsibility 14.1% 14.9%
E-commerce 9.8% 12.2%
Source: QS TopMBA Applicant Survey 2008
management and leadership within an
organization. John Smith of Stanford says:
“Students will learn about setting an organization's
strategic direction, aligning structure to implement
strategy, and leading individuals within the firm.
They will master concepts, frameworks, and tools
to assess an industry and a firm's competitive
environment, and to craft alternatives. They will
study the interplay among formal structure,
informal networks, and culture in shaping
organizational performance. By integrating
leadership theory, the lessons of practical
application, and a students’ own experience, they
will develop skills and capabilities essential to Susan Ashford is Associate Dean for a real-time crisis and puts them in front of faculty and
leading others and gain a better understanding of Leadership Programming and the Executive journalists to test their communication skills and
their own leadership preferences, strengths, and MBA Program at the Stephen M. Ross School of judgement. Shelly Madan took part in this: “I
weaknesses.” Business, University of Michigan. “Our program developed an understanding of the key elements
For David Bach, Associate Dean of MBA teaches skills and allows students to nurture and necessary for the success of a company’s senior
programs at IE Business School in Madrid, “Good further develop skills they already possess, but it leadership and ultimately for that of a company itself.
leadership attributes and skills are critical to the also puts them in situations and gives experiences We worked on key leadership skills, including those
success of any venture, be it launching a start-up that allow them to develop better judgment, to needed to think on your feet and present to a diverse
or managing a team/project for a multinational. exercise their courage, and to influence others public audience under pressure."
The ability to communicate a vision and motivate with integrity.” At Chicago GSB all full-time MBA students take
those around you will stand you in good stead in “The school places high priority of the their Leadership Effectiveness and Development
whatever type of organization you work in.” At IE development of students’ leadership judgment (LEAD) program in their first quarter. “LEAD builds
self-awareness by engaging students in
highly-interactive leadership activities,”
“Graduates need to have the ability to assess the external environments they are operating
says Tonya Fuhs Wallah, the program
director. “These range from team
in, as well as understanding the internal strengths and weaknesses of their organisations,”
dynamics and conflict management to
says David Bach, Associate Dean of MBA programs at IE Business School in Madrid.
presentation skills. The program
culminates in the annual Leadership
“Those that do this well, and can find and seize the opportunities outlined in these
Challenge in which 80 students,
processes, are highly prized and will add value to any organisation they work for.”
selected by their peers, compete in a
case competition judged by GSB
alumni.” Mukani Moyo who is on the
course says: “Leadership seems to be
leadership is taught by experience: “Developing and capabilities along with their analytic skills,” this murky thing, but LEAD equipped us with a
leadership attributes and skills requires a high says Ashford. “We develop leaders by getting science for understanding it. We could literally assess,
degree of experiential learning. We aim to provide them out of the classroom and into situations that look at, touch, hold and get a feel for what we can do
participants with cutting edge theories of test their skills and require them to hone and to improve and get to the next level.”

TopMBA CAreer Guide www.topmba.com 77
MBA_FALL_08_pp_066-287.indd 77 14/8/08 17:33:24
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