Maximizing the Leadership Curriculum at Stanford GSB | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Stanford's leadership curriculum helps individuals develop their leadership skills through experiential learning, coaching, and self-reflection.

Key Insights

• 🤪 Leadership development at Stanford goes beyond traditional management education, emphasizing self-awareness, authentic leadership, and navigating difficult conversations.
• 🤩 Experiential learning, coaching, and peer support are key components of Stanford's leadership curriculum.
• 🏛️ Touchy-feely class helps students develop a new lens for understanding their interactions with others, express their feelings, and build stronger relationships.
• 🧑‍🎓 Professors at Stanford actively support students in their leadership development, serving as mentors, coaches, and resources.
• 🥅 Applicants to Stanford's MBA program should be clear about their goals, embrace their unique qualities, and actively engage with the Stanford community.

Transcript

[MUSIC] Hi welcome, my name is Kirsten Moss and I'm the Dean of Admissions at Stanford and also oversee financial aid as well. And today I'm excited for not one, not two, but three reasons. We have never done a panel on our leadership curriculum before. This is an inaugural, [COUGH] excuse me. An inaugural event, the first time. So and the reason i... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Stanford's leadership curriculum differ from traditional management education?

Stanford's leadership curriculum focuses on developing an individual's self-awareness, authentic leadership style, and ability to navigate difficult conversations. It emphasizes experiential learning, coaching, and self-reflection.

Q: How does the touchy-feely class help students in developing their leadership skills?

Touchy-feely provides students with a new lens for understanding themselves and their interactions with others. It encourages students to express their feelings, practice giving and receiving feedback, and build stronger relationships.

Q: How do professors at Stanford support students in their leadership development?

Professors at Stanford are actively engaged outside the classroom and provide support for students' professional aspirations and business endeavors. They serve as mentors, coaches, and resources for students, helping them navigate the challenges of leadership.

Q: What advice do the panelists have for individuals applying to Stanford's MBA program?

The panelists suggest being clear about what you want to get out of the program and how you want to grow as a leader. They encourage applicants to take an experimental mindset, immerse themselves in the Stanford community, and have grace for themselves throughout the application process.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The panelists discuss the importance and impact of Stanford's leadership curriculum, which is a key factor in why many candidates choose Stanford for their MBA program.

• They share their personal experiences, highlighting classes such as negotiations, touchy-feely, and strategic pivoting, as well as extracurricular activities like talk coaching and low-keynote presentations.

• The panelists emphasize the value of self-awareness, authentic leadership, and the ability to navigate difficult conversations in developing their leadership skills at Stanford.