Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/56535
If I had my way, I would make sure that the MBA curriculum included concepts related to anthropology, political history, political economy, and foreign policy. You didn't major in business—your college degrees are in literature and international relations. What did you learn from pursuing these degrees that you wouldn't have gotten from a typical MBA classroom? A liberal arts education! I started my doctorate in British Romantic poetry. There's no question that the study of ideas and concepts—the pursuit of understanding the mysteries of human nature—can help us understand the cultures, tradi- tions, and political histories that comprise the web of societ- ies. Unless you understand all these components, you won't be more than a technician. Business school teaches enormously important skills, but they're only part of the whole. I think, judging by their cur- ricula, many business schools already understand this. Some are offering social entrepreneurship courses, which begin to address that complexity. Others teach issues related to corpo- rate social responsibility and what that means when a com- pany carries out a business proposition. If I had my way, I would make sure that the MBA curricu- lum included concepts related to anthropology, political his- tory, political economy, and foreign policy. Graduates can't operate otherwise, particularly the ones who want to work internationally. Once they recognize that, they will begin to read beyond The Wall Street Journal. They will begin to look at publications that relay the complexity of the world, or help them understand those components. This humanitarian focus certainly seems to have formed your own leadership style, and you've won many accolades. Newsweek profiled you in a report about the 20 most influential women in the U.S., and Hispanic Business named you a leading Hispanic woman. How do you feel about being a role model to both women and Hispanics? It comes with the territory when one is in a position of responsibility, and I welcome it and celebrate it. Being a role model is an important way to build up the next generation. I want to help young people think about how they're going to lead their lives. I show them that the way I've done it is to combine hard skills and hard work with the pursuit of a profession that has a key social objective. I have found that being a role model, especially to the people with whom I work most closely, evolves from the example I set rather than from what I say—unfortunately! That shouldn't be a new idea to any parent. I have three children between the ages of 20 and 26, and I can see that they and their peers are thinking about what they're going to do with their lives. Your kids are part of the Millennial Generation—those born after 1982 who are just entering adulthood. Business schools are quickly realizing that members of this generation are very focused on improving society and volunteering. They're driving business schools to embrace recycling, community outreach, and other socially motivated programs. There's no question that there is a growing, sustained effort on the part of young people to look intentionally at their own lives. When I talk to young people, I walk away full of trust that they are well-equipped to face the kinds of chal- lenges they'll find in the world today. This Millennial Generation fundamentally sees the world differently than my generation because of globalization and because technology has put them in touch with each other in real time. The danger they face is that some of that technolo- gy, such as Facebook and Twitter, can lead to a self-absorbed way of interacting with the rest of the world. However, Facebook also allows people to build networks around successful initiatives and allows them to be in touch with people they otherwise would not have encountered. It allows them to be motivated and inspired to do worthwhile things. So this can be a powerful tool if young people don't just focus it on themselves. Otero with microentrepreneurs in Peru 22 BizEd JULY/AUGUST 2009 What do you think turns these self-absorbed Facebook kids—or highly focused business students—into committed individuals who want to work for socially responsible organizations like ACCION? People derive personal satisfaction from being change agents. They derive personal satisfaction from putting into place the privilege of their knowledge and expertise to help improve the world. ■ z MAY WILKERSON