Эссе в бизнес школу: Ода таланту | Документы, Справочник

Question: What do you consider to be your greatest talent? What would you have done differently in your career? Outside of work, I…

My greatest talent is what may on the surface appear to be a basic human function—listening. However, this talent is much more than meets the ear. Whether in business meetings, debates with friends, or discussions with family members, I make a concerted effort to listen closely to what is being presented before providing my feedback. It has served me well in my job as a consultant where successful practitioners are differentiated from their peers by fully understanding the customer's requests and then making informed recommendations. For example, my current project is focused on improving the process [Company 1] uses to sell multi-billion dollar IT outsourcing deals. To understand the problems with the current sales model and to make strategic recommendations I interviewed, in-depth, nearly 50 [Company 1] colleagues from all around the world. By listening closely I was able to recognize where issues exist and identify that challenges in one country's sales process were different from those in other countries. This was critical to defining practical recommendations for my client Often working in team environments, I find it essential to pay close attention to my colleagues. This is not to say that I sit idly by; I am certainly not shy to express my opinion or perspective. But I know that fully comprehending the situation is best achieved through good listening skills.

Although great leaders are often great speakers, they must also be great listeners. In my leadership roles on project teams, sports teams and extracurricular activities, I pride myself on fairly representing the interests of all parties. A critical element to this equitable treatment is listening closely to the perspectives of all constituents. I expect this quality will serve me well in my future career as a business leader and during my experience at Kellogg. In the collaborative environment at Kellogg, it is essential to listen well to peers and professors. Good listeners make good classmates and better teammates. D. What would you have done differently in your career?

My jobs have all provided me with great opportunities to learn about managing in a dynamic business environment. I have had a diverse experience of working in academia, a small start-up, and an $80 billion global corporation. Despite my enriching job experiences, the one thing I would have done differently is to work abroad. In my position at [deleted] Business School I received a great introduction to management challenges outside the United States. Researching and writing about business opportunities in emerging market economies taught me invaluable lessons on the unique operating environment of those markets. I traveled to Venezuela and Mexico to gain primary insights for my case studies. However, that did not afford me the same experience if I had lived and worked in those countries for extended periods of time. Now, working for [Company 1], a major multinational corporation, I interact regularly with colleagues in Europe and Asia and have worked in London and Paris briefly. However, those opportunities only provided me with limited exposure to different work cultures, management styles, and language challenges.

busy lifestyle

In this increasingly global environment in which we live and work, I believe it is critical for successful managers to understand and to experience a world outside of their home territory. I have developed a good foundation in global management knowledge through my work at [Company 2] and [Company 1], but I need to keep growing. I expect Kellogg to be another key piece in my understanding of managing in a global setting. From my classmates who will share their international experiences, to professors with broad foreign exposure, Kellogg will provide me with invaluable insights and better understanding of the global business environment. Furthermore, I am attracted by Kellogg's Global Initiatives in Management, which will allow me to focus on an international business issue and spend two weeks in a foreign country conducting primary research with business leaders. I will look to concentrate on a Spanish-speaking country so I can utilize my Spanish language skills. Kellogg's strong international perspective will be critical to my post-MBA position as an executive leader in a global integrated media firm.

Outside of work, I…

Outside of work I maintain an extremely active and busy lifestyle, but two activities in particular best define me: serving as a Big Brother and running. For nearly five years I have donated significant portions of my time to a wonderful cause—the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. Although I moved more than a one hour drive away from my Little Brother and I do not own a car, I make the sacrifices needed to visit with my Little Brother several times per month. I have developed a strong friendship with my Little Brother and I am serving as a positive male role model for him. I have always enjoyed volunteering in various community activities, particularly those that improve the lives of less fortunate children. I firmly believe that having a positive impact on their lives at younger ages will have enormous upside to them and their community as they grow older.

Despite severe asthma that has afflicted me since childhood and two collapsed lungs, I have completed four half-marathons and am currently training for my first full marathon. I derive significant satisfaction from running. First, it lets me demonstrate to myself and others that we have the power to overcome obstacles if we commit ourselves. My asthma could severely limit my running if I allow it. However, I am determined not to let it to stop me from meeting and exceeding my running goals. Second, running is an activity in which hard work is rewarded—whether it is longer distances or quicker times, I can see improvements in my capabilities. Finally, running is a great time to relax and reflect after long days at work. At present, I am combining my commitment to community service with my passion for running. As a member of the [deleted] Marathon team, I am simultaneously training for a marathon and raising thousands of dollars to help fight liver disease Training has become even more enjoyable knowing that the end goal is not only the completion of the race, but also a step forward in liver disease awareness and prevention.

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