Top Tips on Preparing for the Executive MBA

David Shindler talks to TopMBA.com about his top tips on how best to prepare for the EMBA classroom.

David Shindler is author of Learning to Leap, a Guide to Being More Employable and an experienced coach consultant and facilitator. The business school classroom is an exciting place to be. As an Executive MBA student you’ll suddenly find yourself alongside likeminded individuals, listening to expert professors, and being challenged like you never thought you could be. But the business school classroom is also a very different environment from that of the workplace, and if it’s been a while since you were in the world of academia, it’s going to take some adjusting.

It’s important to remember, however, that the majority of your classmates will be in the same situation, so you’re not alone. Pool your resources together, support each other and most of all, enjoy the experience.

To make the transition back to the classroom as smooth as possible, David Shindler recommends undertaking the following initiatives:

1.    Organise yourself

Whatever you anticipate in terms of the time you will spend on your program, double it.  Once you get the bug for studying, it can easily consume you.  Get organized so you are prepared for the relentless demand for assignments and contributions.  That means ring fencing time in your busy diary, delegating more, saying no, and being aware of your learning style and adopting ways to play to your preferences.  And don’t forget that includes taking the lives of your loved ones into account.

2.    The library isn’t like it used to be!

When you last did some serious studying, the world probably didn’t have Twitter, LinkedIn or Wikipedia. You might only have gone to the library. Academia is now using the power of search engines, online libraries and online forums for cohorts to share, learn and access materials.  You can no longer be late with your assignment and say the dog ate your homework. The Web means the volume of information out there is too big for anyone, so be selective and disciplined.

3.    Remember to be you

Getting into the rhythm of regular study can be bumpy for some. A common reason is self-limiting beliefs like ‘I’m not as good as others on the program’, ‘I don’t have enough/too much to say’ and ‘I don’t know what they are looking for’.  There are usually no definitive answers, say what you believe and hold your educators to account about what and how it is required.  Show relentless curiosity and remember to be you.

4.    Actively reflect

Doing an [E]MBA is a wonderful opportunity to do something many managers fail to find time for in the workplace and that is to reflect.  Reflecting used to be seen as a solitary activity and a poor cousin of ‘doing’ which is valued more highly in Western cultures.  Reflecting in today’s digital world is far more proactive. Tweeting, blogging, joining communities of practice online or in person, keeping a video/audio or an old-fashioned written diary are all ways for you to actively reflect in support of your learning.

5.    Integrate, don’t separate from the day job

A common feature of mature study students is seeing their MBA experience as separate from the day job. Compartmentalising can help you to organise yourself.  However, if you start with the mindset of seeing your learning as inextricably linked to business performance, integrating it into your current career context and experience, you will find the journey a more productive and rewarding one.

David Shindler is the author of Learning to Leap, a Guide to Being More Employable (HotHive Books). An experienced coach, consultant and facilitator with a Masters in Management, David provides individual and team coaching, personality profiling, workshops on coaching and mentoring skills, leveraging generational diversity and collaborative working.