A couple days ago, I wrote about how a few second year Harvard MBA students created a Code of Ethics. I stated:
- The initiative now underway represents the starting point, not the end point.
- If it is going to stick, its the students that must be leaders in this initiative. Not the School. Not the professors.
- Its the students that must lead, embrace and enforce.
Today the MBA Oath is receiving press from around the globe. Students that are signing the Oath is growing exponentially. Some signers include past Harvard MBA Graduates and a few from other MBA schools from around the globe. Could it be approaching a “Tipping Point?”
I still believe that we’re in the early stages of the debate. Debate is good. If this wasn’t important, the discussion wouldn’t be growing. Secondly, what is occurring parallels many stories in my book Without Warning and the launching of a CAP Initiative (I have a process for launching and sustaining such an effort). For instance, the story about how Julie Gilbert started WOLF inside BestBuy. Today, WOLF is integrated into every aspect of BestBuy and has become a competitive advantage. I’d like to encourage the Harvard MBA students heading up the MBA oath initiative to pursue these next steps.
- Listen to the debate taking place around the globe and take notes. This is a valuable feedback loop that shouldn’t be ignored and can provide valuable insight.
- Revise, clarify and define what you and the Oath truly stand for. Make it dynamic so it can withstand the test of time.
- Create a sense of urgency around the Oath and its ultimate goal.
- Take it to the next level. Find avenues for academia and the business community to embrace and support the Oath.
- Encourage other MBA programs from around the globe to sign-on, and become partners. To truly make a lasting impact will take collaboration and cooperation amongst the hundreds of MBA institutions and their students.
- Create a ongoing program whereby students and graduates can discuss the issues of the day in a safe, but carefrontational manner.
- Make it visible for the world to see on an ongoing basis.
This is a story that could change the world, or just as easily fail. There a many doubting Thomases out there, having seen and experienced similar programs fail. You have a chance to make a difference. It’s in your hands.
Tags: harvard, Leadership, MBA Oath, Silent Problems
