MBA: One Year Later What I learned

By: Ryan Forrestal

Looking back at the past year, 2020 has been nothing short of sporadic, eventful, and life-changing. 2020 was my first year after completing my MBA. This morning I was struggling to create content for a LinkedIn post, but my search landed me with this great topic. Here I am now reflecting on the lessons I have learned one year after receiving my MBA.

· Not everyone has the same mindset or outlook as you.

Especially for those in leadership positions, it can be easy to use their passion and energy to fuel interactions. However, not everyone has the same positive outlook or mindset about the day or company as you. I have to force myself every day to remain objective and relinquish my personal beliefs.

· Managing across the generations has not gotten easier.

Going back to school alone will not increase your ability to manage across generations. I have found the conflict to be when pushing organizational objectives and challenging others to meet these calls. Be prepared to be told that, “I am old enough to be your mother or father.”

· We have two ears and one month – use them wisely.

This saying is not new, but it is essential to listen when conducting high dollar or high-stake business deals. In particular, if you are around a mentor or skilled professionals, take notes from them early on. I have found that judging the time and place is necessary to know what message to deliver and how. We only get one first impression, know your audience.

· If you stop studying, then do not expect performance to keep increasing.

Since obtaining my MBA, my position has required more accounting and finance knowledge, skills, and abilities. There was a two-month period where my growth was stagnant because I stopped studying. The answer is not only studying but more importantly, it is about consistently and continuously learning. As business managers and organizational executives, our roles are so broad we must continue learning to maximize our contributions.

· You are not special because of another degree.

In the real world, MBAs are a dime in dozen. However, earning the degree and the journey of growth along the way can separate degree holders. Be proud of your degree, put it to use, and live in reality.

· Business performance equals the bottom line.

When I was working through my degree, my focus was on the HR discipline. However, I found myself back into business management with increased responsibility for HR functions and accounting, finance, operations, sales, and supply chain management. Bottom-line performance is what shareholders or investors are seeking.

· Have fun along the way.

Just because business predominately is concerned with generating money, it can be easy to lose sight of your passions. Enjoy the opportunity to do what you love each day!

· Fanatical effort for as long as it takes to finish the job.

This is something I stole from coaching athletics. Thank you, Coach Bains! No matter what, give your best effort for as long as the mission requires. I have found this to be more challenging than it appears. Each day in business, you are confronted with concepts or decisions that need effort to be solved. We can control our actions. “If it has to be, it is up to me.”

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Thank you for checking out another blog post! Stay tuned as our video segment will be rolling out before the New Year! Keep focused on your mission, helping your people, and delivering business results.