How Going to a Harvard Program Changed My Perspective
I always dreamed about going to the United States. But, unfortunately, I couldn’t go for a long time. So after finishing College in Germany, starting my own Tech Company, and gaining all the freedom I always wanted, I finally applied for a short-time program at Harvard Business School. The costs? As expensive as buying a small car.
What I first perceived as a short-time program turned out to be a huge push. Not only did the 6-days vigorous on-campus leadership program feel like one month because of its intensity, but it also had more to offer than I could ever imagine.
The brochure of Harvard Business School states the following about the program:
“Many of our alumni and participants call HBS Executive Education a life-changing experience.”
When I first read it, it sounded like a marketing slogan to me. Well, it isn’t and especially wasn’t for me. But, also, the living on campus part was authentic. During hours with your living group, you had discussions you never had before with anyone else.
The Impact of an Intense Program
How can a program be so impactful? Of course, the Program at Harvard Business School included highly emotional lessons from Harvard professors about Authentic Leaders. Still, it was also about those planned, structured, intense talks with your living group of 7 people coming from a wide variety of professions, top-level executives from all over the world. Real-world case studies about ourselves, I guess.
The program was a Harvard Business School experience packed into one week instead of several semesters. Starting at about 6 a.m. with some breakfast and ending mostly at about midnight, including some time for self-reflection. Sure, also evening excursions to Harvard Square.
We all learned a lot at Harvard. And also that our life story and crucibles are just that: a part of life but don’t necessarily have to be our lives. How are those crucibles related to your job & business? You will know when you think about it long enough.
Keep the Energy
I was always someone with an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm. I met very few people who could keep up with that energy level. For some people, this energy was too much. They could not handle it. Sometimes I thought, I have to reduce my energy level. At Harvard, I learned that I don’t have to. It’s so much that I have to give with that energy and disruptive mindset that I have to keep it up.
To have an impact, be on a stage, proverbial and in real — that’s what I am. Harvard showed me that I should go for it, care less about others. Be focused and don’t change.
Why do people want you to stop? Because they are afraid of their failure and mediocrity. It was never about you.
Proud of Harvard and the people I met there. I possibly would not found that inspiration anywhere else.
My parents once came to Germany as refugees. Never could they imagine a life full of freedom like I have. Never had they the chance of just doing what they wanted to do like I do. I will always be free. Freedom is always a state of mind. Never will I allow someone or anything to slow me down again. I am sure, this was not my last Harvard Program.
The sky is open; most minds are closed. Open your mind.
Spotlight on. I am ready for the big stage and always was.
