As I approach the end of my Oxford Executive MBA, I’d like to share some of the invaluable lessons and frameworks I've learned over the past 18 months that you can apply in any real-life situation. But, first, let me take you back to the beginning of my journey on 2 March 2023.
It all began in the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre with the matriculation ceremony – the formal induction process for new students. The theatre has been an iconic symbol of Oxford’s academic heritage for centuries. On the day of our matriculation, the theatre thronged with students from my cohort – all full of hope and expectation for their upcoming studies. As I waited for the proceedings to get underway, I thought about the inspirational people who had walked this path before me.
I feel privileged to attend the world’s most prestigious university and to learn from the elite in the business field at Saïd Business School. The Executive MBA has positively impacted my life in so many ways. Here are my top five learnings from this life-changing experience.
I feel privileged to attend the world’s most prestigious university and to learn from the elite in the business field at Saïd Business School.
1. The best strategy is one you can implement effectively
As MD of two global businesses – Konnect&Co (global supply chain management) and the Blockchain Research Institute Middle East, I’m constantly looking at ways to refine our strategic approach.
From the Strategy module, we learned that the best strategy is the one that you can implement. Plans only project value, whereas implementation creates value. So, plan well but implement even better.
When implementing your plans, it’s vital to increase your exposure to the right people and ensure you project a professional and consistent image. This is the essence of the PIE Theory, where Performance constitutes only 10% of success, Image accounts for 30%, and Exposure (effective marketing and networking) makes up the remaining 60%.
2. Viewing the world through your customers’ eyes
Whatever your business, it’s important to observe and understand the world around you, gather insights and identify areas for improvement. As your business grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to be ‘on the ground’ at every site.
This is where the GEMBA Walk can prove really helpful – a concept we learned about on the Technology and Operations module. The GEMBA Walk is a Japanese term that means ‘the real place’, encouraging you to see the world through your customers’ eyes. It has reminded me of the importance of first-hand insights. Recently I’ve made a conscious effort to visit our factories more frequently – meeting employees and clients as often as I can.
I cannot overestimate the life-changing impact of the Executive MBA – which goes well beyond academic learning.
3. Setting clear long-term goals
As a leader, it’s vital to see the bigger picture – to have a clear idea of your values and passions and what you want to achieve in your business in the long term.
On the Global Opportunities and Threats Oxford (GOTO) module, we learned about the Guiding Star concept – which helps you set clear long-term goals, make consistent decisions, stay focused, and reflect, then adjust and learn. The Guiding Star concept teaches you to zoom in on your life’s challenges and goals and zoom out to gain perspective on the bigger picture. On the Executive MBA, we applied this framework to shape our business goals. Since then, I’ve used the framework to write a long-term life plan – which is proving extremely helpful. I know others on the program have found this useful too.
4. Navigating a turbulent world
The Executive MBA has proved transformational in other ways. The Governance and Ethics course has ignited my interest in diplomacy and negotiation. I am seeking to develop my skills in this area through further study and look at ways I can contribute to diplomatic work.
Today, we’re navigating a turbulent world fraught with violent events. As leaders, we have a responsibility to act to the highest ethical standards. But we also have a responsibility to be the change. We have just one life so it’s important to make the most of it and contribute to making the world a better place. As Immanuel Kant said, 'Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only'. There is no greater wisdom for promoting human dignity and ethical conduct amidst the challenges the world is facing nowadays.
I cannot overestimate the life-changing impact of the Executive MBA – which goes well beyond academic learning. This leads me to my final insight…
5. If you can be anything in this world, be kind
The most impactful lesson of them all came from our Program Director, Mrs Helen Saward, who addressed our cohort during our matriculation dinner. Helen said, 'If I could advise you to embody one trait during your tenure at Oxford Saïd Business School, I would ask you to be kind'.
This was a testament that, indeed, the Oxford Executive MBA is more than just a business degree. It’s all about bringing people together, developing leaders, and creating transformational change in our world.
This message will undoubtedly remain with me for a lifetime.
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