Author: Nate Pettit is the Vice Dean for MBA and Graduate Programs and Professor of Management and Organizations. He currently teaches core and elective leadership courses in the full-time MBA program and NYC and DC Executive MBA programs, and proudly serves as the faculty representative for the MBA student podcast, Stern Chats.
Learning in the moment with our students
I was recently reflecting on my first year as Vice Dean of MBA and Graduate Programs. Just like a student beginning an MBA program or graduate starting a new job, my first year involved some growing pains. I’ve taught leadership courses for years but the practice of leading is truly humbling. There are some things I anticipated and some I didn’t, and some (many) things I certainly could have done better. There are a few points of pride as well.
In the spirit of learning from year one and preparing for the future, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the entire MBA student lifecycle and what meaningfully affects students’ experience from their first day of LAUNCH (Stern’s one-of-a-kind MBA orientation) to the moment they walk across stage at Madison Square Garden as graduates. What leads some students to truly thrive and consider their MBA experience to be a success and what leads others to flounder? The answer isn’t obvious. It’s not a person’s application stats or prior experience, because everyone is bright and has an impressive background. Everyone also has access to the same classes, student clubs, administrative teams, alumni network, recruiting resources, etc. That’s all held constant. So, if it isn’t clearly about differences in ability or opportunity, then what is it?
The critic, the consumer, and the contributor
Likely, much of what a student gains from the experience is a result of how one’s attitude and orientation toward the Stern experience directs a student’s effort. Specifically, if they approach the MBA as a critic, a consumer, or a contributor.
Critics approach the experience with an attitude of deservedness and spend their energy finding fault and wishing. The MBA experience at every school has its imperfections and obstacles, and these take up an oversized portion of the critic’s mental real estate. They ruminate about the way they think things ought to be — whether it be about their classmates, classes, clubs, or careers. They are heavy on complaints and light on feasible solutions. Unsurprisingly, critics don’t gain as much as they could from their MBA.
Consumers approach their MBA with a more balanced attitude. They see the experience as a checklist of prescribed tasks, where success means earnestly following instructions. They attend class, study, join clubs, go to events and do their best with what’s laid before them. Consumers often do “succeed” in the sense that their hard work leads them to learn and find good jobs, but they also leave an element of the experience “on the table” because they have a hard time seeing (or acting) beyond the status quo.
Contributors take a far more active, agentic approach to their MBA and make it their own. They see the path that consumers take as a starting point, but then build upon it in productive ways because their attitude is that they are responsible for their experience. They see the same imperfections and obstacles as critics, but instead of fixating on what ought to be different and place blame, contributors focus on what they can control, what they can change, and work collaboratively to do so. They step forward to lead — not always by virtue of a position but through their behavior — and take ownership for their own outcomes. Contributors see their MBA as an opportunity to be seized, shaped, and typically glean the most from their experience, both in terms of their own learning and their short and long term professional outcomes.
Why not be a contributor (which you won’t be all the time)
It’s tempting to default to critique or passivity, especially when things feel uncertain — it gives you someone else to blame if things don’t go your way. I admit, I’ve been the critic, the consumer, and the contributor at different points in life, sometimes within the same day. The reality is, choosing ‘the critic’ is unlikely to serve you and undermines your future. Everyone at Stern wants you to have an incredible experience. We are searching as a community of lifelong learners. We know we are not perfect. My hope is that you embrace that you too are searching and learning — that’s why you are pursuing the MBA. Since you’ve chosen this experience, why not fully show up for it?
You can’t control every outcome over the next two years, but you can control your attitude. In my view, attitude is the single best predictor of how much you’ll grow here and how well you’ll carry that growth forward. Why not choose to contribute?
I encourage you to dive in, embrace the inevitable challenges, contribute often, and make the most of every incredible opportunity. We are so grateful to be on this MBA journey with you.
Nate
Adam Smith is a Director of MBA Admissions. Adam has worked on our Operations team for over 9 years and is a graduate of the Langone Part-time MBA. Outside of work, you are most likely to find him playing or watching tennis!
