Chartering a course to Executive MBA success

As students enter the Executive MBA orientation, they meet the cohort of professionals with whom they will work for the duration of the program. Collaboration is a pillar of the Broad EMBA program and a strong theme of orientation weekend, which begins with a commitment to the program and each other.

Perhaps the most impactful part of this process is creating a team charter. It’s a living document tailored to the uniqueness of each team. Teams decide what they must establish to charter a path to EMBA success. This may include how decisions are made, how conflicts are handled, and how to best support one another. Through this, students have a set agreement that allows them to find the best way to work together while honing their skills in leadership, innovation, global learning, and more.

Steve Kim, a 2023 graduate of the program and current senior vice president of Corporate Real Estate and Market Management at Comerica Bank, found each of these through the program’s collaborative approach.

“You are surrounded by career-driven individuals who contribute their thoughts and experiences during class,” Kim said. “Speaking your opinion can be an uncomfortable situation, but sharing different thought leadership helped me build confidence so I could quickly rationalize decisions for the group.”

Throughout his career, Kim has been impressed by senior executives who quickly absorb new information and translate it into actionable strategies for their teams. The EMBA program boosted his confidence to step into such a role, as this is a key focus of the program. Designed to reflect the real business world, the program’s structure helps develop essential communication skills, even amidst its demanding nature.

“The amount of information learned in the 20-month program is abundant and can be daunting for some,” said Kim. “By embracing the opportunity mentally, it taught me that this mind shift opened my view on anything new that requires a learning curve. This ability can be carried forward to other situations with unfamiliar information, where patience and perseverance are needed.”

Embracing new ideas, opportunities, and professional horizons is a critical component of the program. The broad range of concepts and the diversity within EMBA teams mimic today’s fast-paced business environment. Along the immersive journey, the project charter is there to guide students through these challenging moments.

“The project charter is a great reflection point when the team finds itself in awkward situations,” Kim said. “It reminds everyone of their commitment to the program and, more importantly, their team. As a leader, I’ve used the project charter concept with various teams at the onset, which has resonated well with my direct reports.”

A strategic foundation surrounds the Broad EMBA as students build on their knowledge every day, actively applying in-class learnings in office. Kim has translated this foundation into his own leadership. He leaves future students with the advice to “trust the process, embrace the ride, and do the work.”

Learn more about the EMBA program at their webpage.