Spring Classes

I just realized I've been so concerned with launching the Creative Design for Affordability class (which starts next week and is going really well) that I never gave a rundown of the classes I'm already taking this semester.

By far, the star of my spring semester classes so far has been Becoming a Leader with Professor Jim Detert. This is the first time Prof. Detert has taught this class to the full-time MBA students, previously delivering it to the Cornell-Queens Executive programs. Though it was a double session on Monday nights, Prof. Detert organized the class such that it didn't miss a beat. Further, when the Cornell-Queens students were on campus, he twice arranged for panels of the students to come to our class to discuss cases in a live format. After class on both occasions, Prof. Detert arranged social hours afterwards so that we could network with the EMBA students. This is the kind of effort and the kind of connections that we need more of, and I applaud the professor for a great class. The readings were current, and the assignments urged us all to think more deeply about our own leadership experiences and goals in a surprisingly concrete and applicable way.

Other than Becoming a Leader, I'm also taking a class in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations called Organizational Consulting. It's geared toward helping HR professionals both within organizations and working as outside consultants to help companies solve their human-related issues. I'm enjoying it and will be doing a live consulting project with American Express to help the company become more innovative.

Managing Technology and Innovation is also an interesting class, taught by Wes Sine, who's an expert on technology commercialization, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship. The final class I'm taking is called The Political, Legal, and Social Environment of Business, taught by Professor Ben Ho. Prior to becoming a Johnson School professor, Ben Ho worked in the Bush White House as an energy economist. Hearing about his experiences there, and about the underappreciated elements of business strategy that deal with the public sector, the media, and other interests is fascinating.

Overall, I'm incredibly happy again with my classes. I'll write again soon with an update on Creative Design for Affordability.