- The workload is demanding, but manageable. I can't remember a moment since I arrived here that's been "free." I'm either studying, socializing, or exercising. It doesn't feel overwhelming, though.
- My apartment building is basically a dorm room. A weekend ritual quickly emerged: jumping in the apartment pool at night on the weekends. It happens just about every night, it seems.
- CEB has prepared me very well for business school: analyzing a problem, understanding the facets of a corporation (my experience in Internal Audit actually helps a lot here - I know what people are talking about when they talk shop about procurement, HR, etc.; I can hang with these conversations). Perhaps the best preparation CEB gave me was how to work in teams. More on this...
- The big realization so far: the topic of leadership matters - a lot. At Fuqua, leadership is a huge emphasis. I never really "got" leadership until I read Coach K's book on the subject (a gift from Dad last Christmas... pre-Duke). Thus far, Fuqua has emphatically reemphasized the importance of leadership, and that important qualities CAN be taught. Last week we did an all-day ropes course, which was far different than the typical ropes course at summer camp. With a group of professionals, you have stronger opinions and egos. It's one thing to LEARN about particular leadership (i.e. "teamwork") characteristics in an academic setting, but it's another thing to EXPERIENCE. CEB prepared me very well to work in teams - especially how to get the most out of very competent individuals. Certain principles that I used to take for granted have been reaffirmed through our "team building" experiences, such as: know the rules before you play the game, make sure you have the information you need before rushing into a decision/action, when you're rushing you'll make mistakes, "process" is too often underrated in relation to the "great man" theory of leadership, etc. All of these things seem like no-brainers, but I confess that I didn't "get" the importance of them until recently... it's really cool to go through a ropes course, make mistakes, and then discuss "why did we screw up? Why did we succeed?" Very cool stuff with broad applications.
- I'm very lucky to have a great "small group", with whom I will do all my group projects for the next 2.5 terms. We're a diverse group - 3 guys and 3 girls - from: Alabama (me), Michigan, Honduras, Australia, Connecticut, and Thailand. Making this team a cohesive, tight, well-oiled machine over the next few months is a challenge I'm looking forward to.
- I'm doing well in class. I've kept up with the readings, and am participating well in class discussions.
- Conclusion from academic work: the importance of the stability, consistency, and predictability of institutions that surround business (such as government, infrastructure, political participation, etc.). The interdependence of one institution upon the other is very, very important.
Last week, Coach K spoke at an orientation session. I was front row. Two basketball insights he had from coaching the US Olympic team to the gold medal:
1) Nobody outworks Kobe. That's why he's the best.
2) LeBron is a physical freak. Really.
3) Kevin Durant will be the next big star in the NBA. The kid not only has skills, but he's a natural leader: humble and incredibly hard working.
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