In the dynamic world of MBA tasks and challenges, a delicate balance emerges between going above and beyond and adhering strictly to instructions. The Analysis of Business Problems (ABP) sessions in the recent curriculum have brought this dilemma to the forefront, raising questions about when pushing boundaries becomes advantageous and when it might be perceived as a deviation from the given instructions.
Consider the scenario of two job applicants, Lady A and Lady B, each tasked with completing one out of three equally challenging assignments. Lady A follows instructions, meticulously completing the assigned task within the specified timeframe. On the other hand, Lady B, aiming to showcase her capabilities, defies the norm by completing all three tasks with excellence and within the given timeframe. Does Lady B’s overachievement make her more suitable for the job, or does it highlight a lack of basic adherence to instructions compared to Lady A? This dilemma echoes the challenges faced in the ABP sessions.
From the onset of the MBA program, prospective students were grouped into four cohorts. While I found myself in Group 3, it’s the members of Group 2, the self-dubbed “leaders of tomorrow,” who take the spotlight in this blog post.
Their journey into uncharted territory began when they stumbled upon a continuation document for a case, initially undisclosed to the entire class. This provided them with privileged information, leading the faculty to intervene during the subsequent session. As a consequence, the leaders of tomorrow were relegated to the role of spectators while the rest of the class delved into the case discussions.
The most recent ABP session introduced a fresh challenge: each group was instructed to define the problem statement of a particular case and submit it to the faculty ahead of the class. Here, the leaders of tomorrow deviated from the norm by not just following instructions but exceeding expectations. They dissected the entire case, presenting it with excellence and earning the admiration of the faculty.
This prompts a thought-provoking question for the rest of us: Should we also adopt a strategy of not strictly adhering to instructions, aiming to outshine our peers by consistently overachieving on assigned tasks? Or do we stand firm in our commitment to follow instructions faithfully, guided by the belief that obedience is better than sacrifice?
As we navigate through these intriguing MBA challenges, stay tuned for future updates in my next post. The exploration of whether overachievement or adherence to instructions will be the key to success in this academic journey continues, and I look forward to sharing further insights and observations with you. #MMBA5
Problem Framing in Business Analysis