My first years as a professor, I stuck to my swim lane and taught undergraduates.
Later, I had a chance to teach MBA students.
The past five years, I have been blessed to teach Danish executives.
While I learn from all of my students, I learn the most from executives.
It is terrifying, euphoric, and wonderful
The Danes don’t pull their punches. They tell you if an idea doesn’t translate to their context, they make you squirm - because - in a small country often as not - they know the CIO or the exec who you are talking about, and they will suggest alternative way of thinking.
The Danes also don’t spare praise. They share if you help them think, opened their eyes to new possibilities, and because they are in a small country - how they have seen ideas work in their organizations.
The Danes are patient too - upskilling me to the nuances of their context, offering insight into the broader European context, and sharing nuances of language - like referring to neglected executives or technology as ‘dusty!‘
So how do you navigate? A class of candid, smart, executives? Who aren’t afraid of telling you an idea is dusty?
First, recognize you are not the definitive voice in the room.
Often the quiet person in the corner, is a CIO - who has navigated real problems - but looking for ideas.
Humble yourself.
Second, open your mind.
If you let a group of executives come together, they share more insight in a day, than you can learn in a year of reading Academy of Management papers.
So listen.
Third, provide structure.
Your job is to provide a framework and ideas to facilitate a conversation. If you have constructed an interesting narrative, they will respond with comments that move the story forward.
So provide a storyline and let them fill in the dialogue.
Fourth, don’t fake it.
If you can’t answer a question, say I don’t know - and offer to find an answer. When class is done, follow through on providing answers.
Execs appreciate honesty.
Fifth, have fun.
Execs are their to learn and to meet people - including you. Don’t get hung up on power distance. Let a little of yourself show through. Good classes reciprocate
Class is a break from day to day for execs too!
Learning to effectively partner with executives in the classroom, especially Danes, requires you to drop your tools and collaborate!
So partner!
If you can get over the need to be in charge, and become a facilitator, you will have a lot of fun!
To all my friends who teach execs, I hope this helps!
And to those who have not, take exec Ed for a spin!
You will love it! Can you see my joy?
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