Self-confidence rises on business school curriculum
This contribution is by Jonathan Moules, the Financial Times newsletter editor and author of The Week Ahead. He also writes about business education and entrepreneurship and hosted the FT’s Start-Up Stories podcast, which ran for five seasons.
Survey puts developing self-confidence second on list of what prospective master’s students expect from their degree
George Wells had a good start to his career. In his first job after graduating from the University of Southern California, he quickly rose to lead a team of more than 100 technicians and engineers, responsible for the installation, commissioning and delivery of one of Amazon’s largest warehouse robotic systems.
He was one of hundreds of employees laid off by Amazon
But in March 2023, just a year after starting work at the tech company, the American was one of hundreds of Amazon employees laid off in a rapid Covid-era mass hiring purge. “It was crushing,” he recalls.
This summer, Wells graduated from the Master of Management (MiM) at the University of Edinburgh Business School.
His main motivation for taking the programme was to gain a better understanding of artificial intelligence
which he sees as vital for getting back into management roles, especially at big tech companies.
But he was also drawn to the support the Scottish school offered him to help him regain his self-confidence
He saw it as a stepping stone to getting back into fast-track management roles, but now believes such character building is essential for good leadership.
“I was managing huge teams of people, many of whom were older than me, from all walks of life, and most of the job was telling them what to do, and if you’re not confident in yourself, you can’t do that,” he says.
Wells isn’t alone in seeing business school as a place to develop inner strength
This year’s Tomorrow’s Masters survey of prospective business school students, conducted by educational consultancy CarringtonCrisp, found that self-confidence came second only to leadership in the ranking of skills and traits aspiring graduate students want to acquire.
“It feels like a hangover from COVID, when students weren’t able to socialise on campus during their undergraduate degrees or have opportunities for internships where they might have developed self-confidence,” says Andrew Crisp, founder of CarringtonCrisp.
The University of Edinburgh Business School offers tailored coaching sessions to new master’s students to develop core skills and, in many cases, help them transition from education to the world of work. “The key is the tailored approach,” says Rona Doig, an executive MBA coach at Edinburgh.
Rona Doig is a coach at the University of Edinburgh Business School
The challenge of developing self-confidence has also become more obvious for the current generation of business school students because of the insecurities of the digital age, according to Franck Gavoille, associate professor at the Grande École programme and director of master of science at the Essca management school in France.
“This is a generation that is dealing with a lot of information, which makes the decision process [about what they will do next] more difficult,” he says.
“The need for self-confidence is becoming more important, because they feel the need to make the right decision.”
More openness about mental health has helped self-confidence become a topic of conversation among students, Gavoille adds. “It is no longer taboo to talk about the need to have self-confidence.”
Essca is experimenting with a range of alternative approaches to help students build their self-confidence, including yoga meditation, music therapy and a pilot programme known as “equi-coaching”, in which participants interact with horses in a process that can help them interpret changes in their own emotions.
Students are encouraged to bond with a horse, learning traits from animals such as being grounded and content with oneself.
Essca has experimented with ‘equi-coaching’ to build confidence
Essca MiM graduate Maxence Jouannet, a 24-year-old amateur fencing competitor, is among those who have tried equi-coaching.
He came third at the French fencing championships in 2021, having had to train on the street and in parks during the Covid pandemic, but had struggled from winning more tournaments.
Jouannet says he realised he needed to “face himself” as a student
Facing the disappointments of not being as successful as he would have liked in his sport, as well as insecurities caused by the pressure of postgraduate studies.
“My results dropped a lot because it was so difficult to cope with things,” he recalls. “I couldn’t talk to anyone to cope with my mental illness. I didn’t know who to talk to.”
Jouannet was keen to take part in the horse riding, meditation and yoga programme at Essca. “The hardest part was opening up to talk about my fears, my weaknesses, but during these sessions I found the strength to talk about these things.”
Jouannet began meditating daily, focusing on appreciating the positive impact of his achievements to replace the negativity he felt about not achieving the best results in sport or in his studies. “It has proven invaluable,” he says.
Maxence Jouannet says this approach has been “invaluable,” along with meditation
Other business schools have tried a variety of methods to build self-confidence.
Iéseg in France organizes two types of experiential training to work on self-confidence: seminars and drama classes.
“These seminars aim to help students develop their relational intelligence, in particular their ability to assert themselves while respecting themselves and others,” says Ingrid Bierla, professor of intercultural communication and coordinator of the personal development course at Iéseg.
Bierla says this approach improves self-awareness and team performance by making students aware of their own perceptions, understanding the role of emotions and underlying needs, and learning how to give and receive feedback. “Students learn to express themselves and listen to others in a group setting with mutual respect,” he says.
London Business School uses professional actors
to teach its MiM students about the importance of presence when communicating with others, being aware of their body language and what they say. This is complemented by personalized coaching and interview preparation using an AI-powered training tool called Attensi.
Oliver Ashby, director of the LBS Masters programme, says: “Most of our students exude confidence on the surface, but self-reflection and perseverance are something you need to keep working on because you never know what can happen to you in life.”
3 Ways an MBA Program Can Help Foster Your Personal Growth
The following contribution is from the portal of the WU Executive Academy, the business school of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, which brings more than 100 years of experience and an excellent reputation to the field of executive education.
What you can learn on the path to an MBA degree
In addition to the many professional benefits, an MBA education can also foster personal growth and development.
Much is made of the prestige of an MBA degree and the opportunities it offers to help graduates advance in their careers. However, it could be said that too much emphasis is placed on the destination and not enough on the journey.
Completing a top-tier MBA degree can be a tremendously enriching and rewarding experience in itself, and can help students grow as leaders, as professionals, and as people. These are just three ways an MBA can foster your personal growth and development.
Improve your self-awareness while developing leadership skills
Developing your leadership skills at business school isn’t just about examining effective strategies and how to implement them.
Understanding your strengths, weaknesses and leadership style is also critical, which is why students undertaking a professional MBA at WU Executive Academy undertake a self-assessment as part of the programme.
This allows them to identify the areas they most need to improve, while also giving them insight into their behaviour patterns, social skills, ability to manage conflict and their behaviour under stress.
That increased self-awareness helps to develop strong leadership skills. What’s more, this new understanding can also benefit your personal growth.
Increase your self-confidence at business school
Confidence is key in many different areas of business. Senior executives need to be able to be assertive in important negotiations, deliver confident and compelling presentations and demonstrate calm and decisive leadership to their employees. Professionals who are low on confidence can often find that this holds them back in their careers. Self-confidence is essential in the business world
However, nothing builds confidence more than knowledge and experience, and that’s where an MBA program can help.
Students can fill gaps in their knowledge through a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of business concepts and challenges.
They will also develop their problem-solving, presentation, and management skills by participating in practical projects and exercises in a supportive and encouraging environment. Armed with this experience, graduates can return to the professional world with full confidence in their abilities.
Develop Greater Cultural Awareness During Your MBA Program
Part of what makes an EMBA program so valuable, both professionally and personally, is the networking opportunities it offers.
Throughout your studies, you will meet and connect with colleagues from diverse industries and backgrounds, allowing you to gain fresh insight and learn from different perspectives.
But more than this, an MBA allows you to connect with other professionals from around the world. 73% of WU Executive Academy students are international participants.
An MBA introduces you to professionals from a wide range of cultures. Greater cultural awareness can provide many professional benefits, such as the ability to work with diverse teams, expand into international markets, discover new growth opportunities, and more.
In many ways, these benefits can also extend to your own life and foster your own growth, as you develop friendships around the world and gain a greater appreciation for different cultures.
How Practical Learning in an MBA Boosts Your Confidence to Lead
This contribution is by Maitane Zarate who studied at the University of Deusto and holds a double degree in Business Administration and Law. With over five years of experience as a writer and content marketing professional, she is now also a writer for MASTERGRADSCHOOLS and MBAGRADSCHOOLS.
Explore how the MBA program at RIT Saunders incorporates practical learning to prepare its graduates for the business world.
Lindsay Connelly’s journey from MBA student to founding her digital marketing company shows the power of combining theory and practical learning.
Contents
– How to translate learning
– How to gain practical experience and build confidence
– The benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone
– How to prepare business leaders for the real world
– How to translate practical learning into real-world success
In the world of business and technology, learning is most effective when combined with practical experience.
At the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Saunders School of Business, it’s all about learning by doing. Experiential learning is the cornerstone of its Master of Business Administration program.
RIT Saunders students become active participants in their education through hands-on learning experiences, making its graduates stand out in the real world. That’s what drew Lindsay Connelly to the program.
“I didn’t just want to study, but to do. And RIT has a very deep history of creating doers,” she says.
Lindsay credits the MBA program for helping her become the president of her own digital marketing company, Linden Digital Marketing. The experiential learning from the program at RIT Saunders helped her gain a new sense of confidence.
“The biggest change I saw in myself before I got the MBA and after was probably this boost in confidence,” Lindsay notes.
Two examples of how students get hands-on experience are the co-op program and the Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Let’s explore what these programs entail.
Gaining practical experience and building confidence
Lindsay cites RIT Saunders’ co-op program (cooperative education) as a prime example of its hands-on approach to learning.
The co-op program connects students with employers to gain practical experience. The employer benefits from the student’s unique skills and up-to-date knowledge of the subject matter. In return, the student has the opportunity to do paid work that is relevant to their career development.
The co-op program enriches students’ learning path, increases their professional connections, and enhances their knowledge, skills, and experience. It also instills in them a new sense of confidence.
RIT Saunders supports students who want to work while completing their studies because they know they benefit. Lindsay could work while pursuing her MBA, taking a few classes at a time, which allowed her to start her own business while completing her studies.
These hands-on learning experiences give students the confidence that they can take on real-world obstacles. This sense of self-confidence will be crucial to overcoming future challenges in their career path.
The Advantages of Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Another key element of Lindsay’s career growth path was the fact that she was continually pushed out of her comfort zone at RIT Saunders.
She especially appreciated the Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which helps entrepreneurial students achieve their goals.
“RIT does a great job of pushing their students to work harder and enter situations that would normally make them uncomfortable,” Lindsay says. (01:45)
Students can join programs that simulate the high-pressure scenarios they face after graduation to prepare for real challenges in the professional world.
“I was thrown into situations where I had to pitch my business idea to a group of CEOs on 48 hours notice,” Lindsay recalls.
“You’re just thrown into really tough situations, and your professors and mentors have complete confidence that you’ll be able to do it.” (01:29)
By exposing students to situations outside of their comfort zone, you cultivate highly resilient and agile problem solvers. These are the indispensable qualities of any successful entrepreneur in today’s fast-paced business environment.
The Importance of Networking in Business
Lindsay also appreciated the opportunities to network with her peers and professionals happy to share their experiences. Through her MBA, she realized the importance of authentic networking and how it can positively impact business endeavors.
“Something I learned through the networking that RIT allowed me is the importance of kindness and teamwork,” she says.
During a networking event, she was particularly touched by the words of Austin McChord, an RIT alumnus and entrepreneur.
“He didn’t sell his company until he knew his team would be well taken care of,” Lindsay says. “I took it to heart and learned that you can be an incredibly successful billionaire and take care of people. That’s something I instill in my company.”
Empathy and Collaboration
This message about the importance of empathy and collaboration continues to resonate within Lindsay’s business culture long after she graduated.
She advises students to step out of their comfort zones and meet as many people as they can. Whether through LinkedIn or over a cup of coffee, those interpersonal connections helped her succeed in her business.
Preparing Business Leaders for the Real World
By promoting hands-on learning, the RIT Saunders MBA is a launching pad for graduates’ real-world success. It fosters a proactive, entrepreneurial culture that empowers a new generation of business leaders prepared to make a tangible impact outside of the classroom.
Lindsay earned more than just an MBA degree at RIT Saunders. She gained real-world experience, made invaluable connections that extended far beyond her student years, and gained the confidence to face future challenges.
The Impact of MBA on Confidence and Self-Esteem
The following contribution is from the Regenesys Business School portal which is dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning, research and developing conscious leaders who make a difference globally. “We pride ourselves on offering world-class higher education that produces top-notch graduates prepared to successfully assume leadership and management roles in their respective industries.”
Founded in 1997, Regenesys has proven to be one of the fastest growing and leading business schools in Africa, offering internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the disciplines of Business, Public Management, Finance, Law, Technology and Education.
Regenesys has been unlocking the potential of individuals and organisations for over 20 years by enhancing their management and leadership skills, and equipping them to blaze new trails in the private and public sectors. This article is by Vaibhav Gangavane.
Undertaking a postgraduate programme such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in South Africa can be a transformative journey. Beyond academic rigor, an MBA often shapes not only careers but also personal development. It equips individuals with a strong skill set and mindset that influences their confidence and self-esteem.
Table of Contents
– What is an MBA?
– Increased Self-Confidence Through Education
– The Change of Confidence in Professional Environments
– Online MBA and Its Influence on Self-Perception
– Regenesys Business School
– Conclusion
– Impact of MBA on Confidence and Self-Esteem: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MBA?
An MBA, short for Master of Business Administration, is a highly sought-after graduate program globally.
It is designed to impart a comprehensive understanding of business principles, leadership skills, and strategic thinking. It is not just about textbooks; it is a well-rounded experience that fosters growth in various aspects of life.
Increased Self-Confidence Through Education
Education, especially through an MBA, can have a significant impact on self-confidence.
Knowledge gained through rigorous coursework, case studies, and real-world applications builds a strong foundation.
Confidence increases as people face challenges, make decisions, and witness the positive results of their efforts.
The Change in Confidence in Professional Settings
One of the most noticeable changes after pursuing an MBA is the increase in confidence in professional settings.
Whether in boardrooms, client meetings, or negotiations, the skills and knowledge gained empower people to articulate their ideas more persuasively. They feel better equipped to tackle complex problems and present innovative solutions.
Self-Esteem in Leadership Roles
Leadership development is a core component of an MBA. Participating in team projects, taking charge of discussions, and leading initiatives all contribute to a significant increase in self-esteem.
The ability to influence and inspire others creates a sense of accomplishment and reinforces self-esteem.
The Online MBA and Its Influence on Self-Perception
Online MBA programs have revolutionized the education landscape, offering unparalleled flexibility without compromising on transformative impact.
Participating in an online MBA not only increases professional skills but also significantly influences self-perception. The virtual, yet remote, environment becomes a vibrant space for personal and intellectual growth.
Through interactive sessions, collaborative projects, and real-time discussions, individuals participating in online Master of Business Administration programs witness a profound change in their self-perception.
The ability to balance work, studies, and personal life while actively participating in a global classroom fosters a sense of adaptability, resilience, and achievement, elevating confidence and self-esteem to new heights.
Regenesys Business School
Regenesys Business School is a benchmark for transformative education that offers a unique blend of academic excellence and holistic development. Renowned for its forward-thinking approach, Regenesys goes beyond traditional learning paradigms and instills in its students a deep sense of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility.
Its commitment to developing well-rounded individuals is evident in its diverse and comprehensive curriculum, which not only focuses on business acumen but also emphasizes personal growth and social impact.
With innovative teaching methodologies and a global outlook, Regenesys Business School paves the way for individuals to excel not only in the corporate sphere, but also as leaders poised to create positive change in the world.
Impact on Personal Development
Regenesys Business School in South Africa offers an exceptional MBA program that goes beyond academic excellence.
It trains individuals to become well-rounded leaders, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem. Through a comprehensive curriculum and innovative teaching methodologies, Regenesys prepares its students not only for the corporate world but also for life’s challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pursuit of an MBA, particularly at Regenesys Business School in South Africa, transcends academic achievements. It is a transformative journey that nurtures not only business acumen but also personal growth, instilling confidence and bolstering self-esteem.
The skills acquired, leadership experiences gained, and the comprehensive education offered pave the way for individuals to excel in various spheres of life.
Whether online or in-person, the impact of an MBA extends far beyond the boardroom, shaping individuals into dynamic leaders equipped to meet challenges and make a meaningful difference.
Are you ready to take the leap toward personal and professional growth?
Why Getting an MBA Gives You Confidence
The following contribution is by Marguerite Arnold who is an entrepreneur, author, and third-semester EMBA candidate at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
No Comments on Why Getting an MBA Gives You Confidence
One of the most enduring reasons to get an MBA (or even an EMBA) goes far beyond the traditional “supposed” reasons to go back to graduate school (starting with increasing your salary). It also extends far beyond your expanded business network and the knowledge you gain along the way, including improving how you work in a team.
The MBA experience, wherever you get it, is also structured very differently than other graduate degrees. That’s why getting an MBA, whenever you get it, will almost certainly improve almost any other skill set you have.
Beyond this, however, getting an MBA is one of the best ways to build confidence
And I would add, particularly for women. I know I’m not the only woman I’ve spoken to recently who has specifically mentioned that earning the degree, no matter one’s background and career path, helps one understand that business is as much a “conversation” (or “communication”) with the rest of the world as anything else.
Part of this, I think, is that the MBA experience creates a solid framework for knowing how to “think outside the box” and express it in terms that other business people can understand. It’s not just about creating pretty PowerPoint presentations (although you’ll probably find yourself doing a lot of those).
It’s very much about learning how to express yourself in structured terms
To summarize complicated concepts much more simply and effectively. The ability to “speak fluently” in any language and be much better understood is, in itself, a confidence builder.
Presentations and teamwork are a big part of what you learn (or learn to do better), and there’s no better way to learn than to try and fail.
While this may not sound ideal, it is in fact a vital part of any entrepreneurial story. The skills you gain from experiencing successful and failed attempts at dealing with leadership, management challenges, product launches, and marketing, if not defining a market itself, are invaluable.
The only way to understand business is to live it, and I’m starting to see a difference in my classmates, and already in myself.
Part of it, I think, is that the MBA experience gives you a framework to look at your own life in a different way, in all its aspects, even beyond business.
It allows you to separate the idea of »failure» and «success» from personal traits and better define a life path, no matter where you are in it. It certainly allows you to use different reference points.
As a “relatively late bloomer,” I can say with certainty that the program I attended, at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, has allowed me to define myself differently
In a way, earning an MBA is almost like learning how to tell a better story, whether it is a story about yourself or a story about a business idea, concept, or initiative.
One thing I do know after a very tough year and as I prepare to give my final presentation is that the process of earning my MBA has changed me for the better.
I am a more confident and capable woman, and this is an asset I can lean on no matter where my personal and professional path takes me in the future.
The Intangible Benefits of an MBA
This contribution corresponds to the UNC-Kenan Flagler portal, which says about its relevant history:
A story of tradition and innovation
The power of education to improve lives is a story that endures. Our story began in 1919, when UNC leaders envisioned a role for business education at a liberal arts college. That vision eventually became the UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business.
Business has changed dramatically over the past century, and so have we. But what made us unique in the beginning still remains: a tradition of innovation. From our earliest roots, UNC-Kenan Flagler has consistently sought to develop the knowledge needed for the next generation of businesses.
We have changed the lives of thousands of people, directly and indirectly, since our founding in 1919, and we seek to deepen and broaden our impact on people’s lives and society at large. Join us on our journey to define what comes next. The best is yet to come.
The Return on Investment of an MBA
An MBA is a phenomenal way to revitalize your current career path or help you transition to a completely new one.
Let’s face it: at some point in your career you’ve probably experienced some feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent.
Maybe you feel like you’re not exercising your skills to the fullest, or that you feel out of place in your current position, or that the work you do day in and day out just doesn’t inspire you.
Maybe you’ve felt that way and moved on, recognizing that it’s a common crisis point in everyone’s career. It certainly can be, but there is a way to change your career path: an MBA.
The most obvious benefit an MBA offers you is the opportunity to earn more
Although an MBA is a significant investment, most graduates can finish paying off the loans within a few years of graduation (assuming you have to take out loans to pay tuition). That way, you’ll be able to realize a real, tangible fiscal return within a decade of graduating.
However, there are also intangible benefits to acquiring an MBA
That can positively impact your soft skills and interpersonal experience, positioning you for a greater variety of opportunities throughout your career.
Five Intangible Benefits of an MBA
Leadership: One of the most vital characteristics of a business leader is inherent in their degree: leadership.
To truly succeed in the business world, you must embody the traits of a leader. Many MBA programs focus on developing their students to become effective leaders who will go on to achieve top positions in their future companies.
From courses focused primarily on developing the distinctive skills of a future CEO to simulations centered on mitigating conflicts between employees, an MBA program will help you grow as a leader.
Teamwork: You will learn how to work as a team while pursuing your MBA.
By simulating a real-world collaborative business environment, an MBA program provides you with numerous scenarios intended to foster teamwork.
Case competitions will test and improve your teamwork skills, and you will be assigned groups to complete a variety of projects for your core and elective classes.
Strategic Thinking – After being out of school for several years, you may feel a creative complacency creeping in.
You may start approaching problems with the same solutions, without giving much thought to new ideas.
The goal of any MBA program is to reinvigorate your ability to think in new, innovative, and strategic ways, and remind you how important it is to explore multiple options when solving a problem.
A good MBA program will also teach you exactly how to do this. The freedom to try and fail (and try again) as you execute your ideas in an MBA program will empower you to solve problems creatively and strategically in your career.
Confidence – Perhaps one of the greatest intangible benefits of earning an MBA is the increase in your confidence.
You may think that confidence is something you either have or you don’t, but this is not the case.
An MBA program can significantly improve your confidence as you lead team projects, take strategic risks in a safe environment, and get real-time feedback on your performance.
There are many opportunities to try new things in a full-time MBA program, and your success (and occasional failure) here allows you to test your strengths and build your confidence.
Alumni Network: There is an incredible advantage to gaining a strong and active network of alumni from an MBA program.
The relative strength of this network has the potential to impact your entire career.
The alumni base represents a large number of people with whom you share a powerful connection: your MBA alma mater. If the alumni base is full of receptive, engaged, and successful people, you have automatically acquired an invaluable asset.
Overall, an MBA can open new doors for you in your career. When examining the return on investment of an MBA, be sure to take into account the intangible benefits and returns in addition to the obvious financial aspects.
Self-awareness is the new self-confidence
The following contribution corresponds to the Blog of the portal of the Hult International Business School, one of the most prestigious in the world, which although it was written 12 years ago, we find significant the relevance it maintains in reference to the topic of confidence that we are dealing with today.
In our research, at Hult Labs we have been talking to employers about what they want to see in MBA graduates. Recently, the BBC published an article that touches on some of the same themes that we have discovered, namely the increase in self-confidence of American university students.
However, this self-confidence can be counterproductive when these students enter the «real world» of work, as many of them encounter real obstacles for the first time. We wanted to analyze why we think this is happening, as well as recommend some ways to address this challenge.
In interviews, executives have told us they see a similar pattern to the one the BBC observed
Today’s graduates are much more confident than they used to be, but that’s not always a good thing, especially if they can’t back up that confidence with real ability.
Instead of overconfidence, executives tell us they want to see more self-awareness in graduates. They also tell us they’ll happily hire those who know themselves rather than those who are self-confident.
The BBC article talks about the increasingly lost skill of writing, a craft that may be more marginalized than it used to be, but is still vitally important to the art of business.
According to the article, students have been reporting increased self-assessed writing ability over the years. But objective test scores reported over the same time period indicate that skills have declined.
In fact, many executives told us that one of the first things they have to do when hiring recent graduates is to have them take a basic writing course to develop their skills.
The article also states, “In the late 1980s, nearly half of students said they studied for six or more hours a week, [but] the figure was just over a third in 2009.”
Recently, however, more students than ever before reported that their “drive for success” was extremely high. You would think that a higher “drive for success” would actually result in more time spent studying, but apparently not!
Lastly, a study discussed in the article showed that “weaker students actually performed worse if they were given encouragement intended to boost their self-esteem.” In other words, simply being told to “believe in themselves” won’t help their performance at all, and may actually hurt it!
We believe this phenomenon can be traced in part to the learning experience
that most students (at least most of those in developed countries) experience from kindergarten through college.
The educational experience in these systems is largely one in which it is more difficult to determine exactly how developed your skills are relative to an objective standard.
Focus has been placed on building self-esteem
Grades have suffered from inflation, with rising GPAs and greater attention placed on building students’ self-esteem rather than providing them with critical feedback.
As a result, students in these systems may have emerged with an inflated sense of self, only to crash into the harsh reality of the real world after graduation.
In speaking with executives about what they need from new employees, they told us that students would be better served by an educational experience that helps them understand themselves more and pushes them to strive for their personal development in a more intense way.
More Self-Reflection and Classroom Setting
Executives believed that students would be better prepared for the world of “real work” if they could experience it more in a classroom setting, especially if those experiences included more self-reflection, more opportunities to give and receive feedback with team members, and ultimately more opportunities to understand why team dynamics work the way they do.
Confronting these real interpersonal issues in a variety of ways, rather than just sitting back and passively receiving knowledge, could really help students begin to understand more about who they really are and how to work well with others.
So why haven’t teachers done more than what was mentioned above to help their students gain more experience in real-world situations?
Well, in short, this can be very difficult to do well, especially in large classrooms. Talking about personal development topics in front of dozens of other people can be very uncomfortable for both the student and the teacher.
Furthermore, talking about these topics, even in small group settings, requires a certain level of experience in having faced them before in the real world, experience that many teachers simply don’t have due to their career path, which is primarily academic.
Lastly, facing these topics in a classroom setting also takes away time from discussing the teacher’s knowledge of the material that is supposed to be covered in class.
Most teachers know and understand their own area of expertise quite well, certainly much more than the «fuzzy» issues of interpersonal behavior, and so they stick to their strong suit.
However, we would argue that if students never run into any kind of “walls” in their behavioral choices—and are never forced to consider the effects of those choices—then they will be ill-prepared for the walls they will inevitably run into once they reach the real world.
To offer a more practical and useful experience, schools will need to allow for these kinds of interactions, as well as hire teachers who can bring out this self-knowledge in productive ways.
This is a difficult challenge, especially since many teachers are used to teaching courses in a certain way. But ultimately, both students and teachers will benefit more from these experiences, because they will result in more employable students.
Education is starting to shift a bit in this direction with the advent of concepts like the “flipped classroom” and other similar innovations.
But there is still a long way to go before schools can produce a curriculum that emphasizes self-knowledge and self-awareness as central elements. In preparing students for the real world, we believe teachers would do well to remind them of Lao Tzu’s words: “At the core of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”
The Consequence of Self-Confidence
The following contribution is from the Management Consulted portal and the article is from its editorial team.
Self-confidence is one of the most useful qualities you can demonstrate in life, in business, and as a candidate for a management consulting firm. However, in general, aspiring consultants do not work on their self-confidence in the same way they work on other dimensions of candidate competitiveness.
This is a shame, because there are resources available to improve self-confidence, just as there are to improve your GMAT score or to succeed in your job interview. In this article, we will explain how to give yourself the advantage of self-confidence.
Let’s get started:
– Self-confidence.
– Definition of confidence.
– How to be more confident.
– Level of confidence.
– How to gain confidence.
– Building confidence.
– Books on confidence.
– Benefits of Being Confident
Definition of Confidence
Before we go any further, we need to establish what we mean when we use the word “confidence.”
In relation to self-esteem, the definition of self-confidence is trusting in one’s own abilities, judgments, and performance. There are conflicting ideas about whether and how self-confidence can be taught. We are on the side of those who believe it can!
The Effect of Self-Confidence on Work
While taking classes on self-confidence is not (yet) a mandatory component of an MBA education, more and more people are emphasizing self-esteem as an important part of human development.
It’s not just for the sake of warm feelings that many parents and educators now emphasize self-confidence.
The benefits of having self-confidence include better performance and increased productivity. Self-confidence can help you connect with your deepest intuitions.
This keeps you from doubting and self-sabotaging, and it also frees up creativity. Self-confidence can also help you maintain presence even in stressful circumstances.
When you trust yourself to perform well, you don’t crumble under pressure; instead, you maintain awareness and adapt.
How to Build Confidence
If you’ve suffered from a lack of self-confidence or self-esteem, then you’re probably wondering how to build confidence. It may seem like self-confidence is innate, like height or eye color.
But there are many steps you can take if you’re wondering how to gain confidence. The most effective way to build self-confidence isn’t to change your «self» or your living situation, but to practice the habits of a confident person.
One of the most powerful things you can do is accept that it’s okay for confidence to start out as a performance. We assume the order of operations is:
Be perfect. You know you are perfect
Act perfectly and act as if you know you are perfect.
Research has shown that mimicking the posture of confident and assertive people actually improves confidence and performance.
Many people rely on other strategies to build confidence. For example, many people focus on setting goals and repeating regular affirmations.
This involves visualizing a desired outcome before it happens. Of course, visualizing hypothetical outcomes involves really playing at the Expert level, as most lack of confidence is actually a consequence of compulsively visualizing undesirable outcomes.
In reality, learning to practice presence is key if you want to learn to be more confident. Being present is the way to skillfully and harmoniously adapt to whatever is happening, rather than reacting to a situation by acting out a script you learned in the past.
It also means moving forward when the situation changes, rather than getting caught up in past mistakes or anxieties.
Practicing presence means learning that you don’t have to identify with or believe every thought
That runs through your head, especially thoughts about the past and future. Presence means, instead, identifying with the awareness of the present moment. There are many “portals” you can follow to get to the present moment. You can focus on your breathing, on physical sensations, on the electrical energy flowing through your body at all times.
Books on Confidence
As with GMAT prep and virtually every other aspect of the career landscape, there is a genre of books dedicated to improving low self-esteem. The most effective books for you will have a lot to do with your specific needs, your tastes, and more.
Here we will recommend two exemplary books that have been helpful to a wide variety of people. The first is the industry consensus standard on all psychological research on the self, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem: The Definitive Work on Self-Esteem from the Leading Pioneer in the Field, by Nathaniel Branden. This book compiles Branden’s lifetime of clinical work and research on the topic.
The other book we’ll recommend is The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown.
We understand that many people have an instinctive aversion to anything that smacks of “self-help,” but Brown brings deep and inimitable insight into the human condition, and her work has transformed the lives of millions. If you’ve struggled with self-acceptance or other limiting beliefs, we highly recommend checking out Brown’s work.
The Role of Confidence in a Case Interview
Aspiring consultants know that there are few specific tests with more stressful potential than the case interview.
Not only does the case interview represent the final test in the search for a job as a management consultant, it also involves performing difficult tasks in a public situation.
If you’re not confident and present, it can be easy to get distracted in a loop of anxious thoughts in the middle of a task and totally lose your train of thought in the case scenario. Self-confidence will help relieve your mind of the burden of self-evaluation as you try to crack the case.
Conclusion
Of course, no major degree-granting institution officially incorporates self-confidence into its business programs. But there may come a time when such a notion does not seem so ridiculous.
The discipline and discourse of self-esteem has invaded almost every other aspect of academic and public life, and for good reason.
A healthy dose of self-confidence helps improve performance and morale. It is only a matter of time before teaching MBAs to embody self-confidence is as natural a part of any business school curriculum as elementary statistics or the first-mover advantage.