The Legacy of Inspirational Teachers

I can count on both hands the number of teachers I’ve had – from the primary to the graduate level – who I’ve found inspiring in some way. I can count on only one hand the number of teachers from whom I have received guidance or insight so profound that it made an indelible imprint on my brain. A neuroscientist probably has a more precise description of that process, but that’s the best way I can describe it. As for why a handful of teachers made such a big impact, I can only offer a three-pronged explanation: they had a passion for their field of study, genuine care for the growth of their students, and gave straight, thoughtful feedback. Sometimes the latter was tough to take, for those of us who’ve been there, but it was also laced with enough encouragement to neutralize any feeling of defeatism. Sometimes the feedback was like a time bomb: an abstract learning finally collides with real life, detonating an insight that truly sticks. â€Å"Oh, that’s what he meant!† When I have been fortunate to have teachers who had confidence in my (or my team’s) ability to tackle a challenge and come out ahead, I responded by pushing myself harder. I believe I did so because these teachers threw traditional transactional teaching out the window and raised the stakes. They wanted to encourage big questions and more expansive thinking. So I pushed myself, and saw others do the same. This isn’t to say that pushing more than usual yields positive results every time. Have you ever pushed yourself at the gym after a hiatus? It hurts. It’s uncomfortable. Sometimes there’s bruising – of the body and the ego. But if you keep going, you build endurance. And an inspiring teacher is like a personal trainer who knows how to lead you to your limit, but not let you give up or pass out. Something else interesting happens when a teacher is your advocate: you feel the freedom to take risks. So you try a different approach, or adopt a new mindset. You may even feel your creative fire take you around unknown corners. And then on the other side of it, despite mistakes and failures (maybe because of them), you feel a little bit wiser. And you gain a little bit more confidence. The stretching and the bruising don’t feel so acute – youve learned that you are made of tougher stuff. Rob Richter, an Investment Advisor in Panama decided to switch industries in business school. â€Å"I was a US-based graphic designer and marketer prior to business school. I took FORAD [Multinational Corporate Finance] with Professor Michael Moffett, and  I felt like a financial idiot all the way up through graduation.  But it was afterwards, once I was in the real world that I  realized, hey, I can do this – and better than most!  I was the CFO of my company in Panama before becoming an independent investment advisor this year after having sold it. The entire process of Professor Moffetts class, and his faith in us, were apparent only AFTER I graduated.† Julia Collins is a Senior Consultant at Deloitte based in Cleveland, Ohio. She’s also a former Strategy student of Hult Labs’ Managing Director, John Beck, who recently wrote about cultivating faith in his students over the years. Five years after graduating from business school, she still applies what she learned in his class. â€Å"There is a reason excellent professors inspire; they have passion. A passionate professor’s belief that a student is worthy is the equivalent of hours of reading, vigorous discussions, and challenging assignments. Professor Beck told us at the beginning of his class that he was going to push us to the ‘precipice of the learning cliff’. I still think of that example as I consult to my clients. I try to bring them to the edge of that cliff and push them to their precipice. The result is almost always excellence.† Seth Isenberg, a Trade Analyst with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C., was also in Beck’s class. â€Å"It continues to impact my thinking to this day. He deliberately pushed us both with our workload and the brevity and intensity of our presentations. He shared with us his theory that pressure produces better and better work, until one falls off a cliff – and he aimed to bring us to the precipice without tumbling over. That faith in our performance, along with his positive attitude towards us taught me a lesson about what I am capable of achieving, and fulfilling my true potential.† If you are currently a student, know this: When you come across a teacher who makes the time and effort to help you build your skills, and provide critical feedback, digest it – and then ask for more. School provides a safety net that you won’t find in the real world (mistakes generally don’t get you fired from business school) and finding a good advocate/mentor is not always easy. Get accustomed to soliciting and accepting feedback. When you’re on the job, resisting feedback gives the impression that you are inflexible, and without it you can’t learn and grow. If you are a teacher, know this: it’s OK to raise the stakes in your class if you are genuinely doing it in your students best interests. Business school students like a formidable challenge, which is why there’s a good chance they will raise their game, curiosity level, and creative drive. They won’t always know what they’re capable of unless you push them a little, and if you do, there’s a good chance they’ll be thankful long after the â€Å"bruising† is gone. And they’ll remember what you taught them for a very long time. If you would like to find out more about Hult’s global business programs,  download a brochure here. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Vu Hung. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog Student perspective: Meet Paul Ahn—my most inspirational professor. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .