part 1

How to make The Every Day MBA work for you

Reflection n. serious thought and consideration

Management is a practical activity and the key to being a better manager lies in thoughtful action. The reality you encounter every day can be your teacher only if you are awake to it. The majority of managers, however, are not awake. Their training has prepared them neither to notice nor to think for themselves. Organisations put their money and faith in training to correct this, but with only limited success. What about education? There are thousands of business schools, but believe it or not, there is no hard evidence to show that the MBA curriculum makes for better decision making. Good business schools are amazing places, but what these schools know is that while content is important, education is about creating the right conditions to develop managerial identity and purpose.

Here are six things you can do to promote the right conditions and attitude for reading The Every Day MBA:

1. Keep a notebook with you at all times (without lines, if possible, to get you out of the habit of thinking in lists). Have plenty of pens and pencils to write with. Write things down.
2. Our brains work through association, so start connecting to new ideas using the same principles your mind functions with. Learn how to draw a mind map (visit Tony Buzan’s website www.thinkbuzan.com if you are not already familiar with this fantastic tool).
3. Consciously decide to become curious. Be an explorer. Curiosity is essential to creativity. Catch yourself whenever you say ‘Yes, but ...’ and replace that with ‘Yes, and ...’ and see the difference it makes.
4. Rate yourself for each of the following and indicate whether you think you are below, at or above average.¹

   	I’m below average	I’m average	I’m above average
   My IQ
   My skill as a manager
   My skill as a leader
   My analytical skills
   My critical thinking skills
   My self-awareness
   My interpersonal skills
   My creativity

5. Write down the three most important words or phrases in your life. Ask a significant person in your life to do the same. Discuss the result. What do you value most?
6. Watch the TED talk given by Sir Ken Robinson in 2013 entitled ‘How to escape education’s Death Valley’ and reflect on the message about intelligence, creativity and education.² Create a mind map of your thoughts.

Now you’re ready.

Notes

1 Research shows that potential employers are mostly looking for the last four, not the first four.

2 www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_how_to_escape_education_s_death_valley.html