Your B-School Class Schedule Finance, Accounting, and Improv

As little kids we took trips to outer space, dallied courageously with dinosaurs, and accomplished unbelievable feats of bravery—all while never venturing beyond a pillow fort in the living room, or the tree line of a backyard. No one gave us explicit permission to test the boundaries of our imagination when we were small; we just did it naturally because we had imagination in abundance. And though we may not have felt our imaginative instinct slip away (for most of us) as we grew older, it did recede over time, as qualities like maturity and responsibility wrestled their way into more prominent positions. Not that our imagination disappeared entirely as we grew older, it just went into hibernation. And there it has stayed, unless we summoned it forth on rare occasions to help our adult selves out. So you might be a bit surprised to find out that some business students are being asked to awaken their imaginations and reignite that spontaneous play of youth—in the classroom. In what class would they do this, you ask? Why, in their improv class, of course. And just what are business students doing taking improv classes, you may wonder? The answer’s easy: they’re honing critical professional skills like creativity, teamwork, and the ability to venture out from the safe cocoon of their comfort zones to take risks. That’s right— core courses like finance and accounting are still essential but because the real world isn’t all linearity and logic, soft skills, particularly in leadership roles, are more important than ever before. And business students sometimes need a push to momentarily set aside their analytical tendencies and think in new ways. Improv courses (even acting classes) are helping students to do just that. So what’s the first rule of an improv class? It turns out to be pretty easy to remember. In Julia Flucht’s article â€Å"When the Art of the Deal Includes Improv Training,† she describes MIT instructor Daena Giardella’s essential axiom in two words: â€Å"Yes, and.† So, what exactly does that mean? Let’s say in a scene with your improv partner, you suddenly get the suggestion that it’s time to go from riding bumper cars to, say, battling Vikings. By employing the sole rule of improv you would respond by saying: â€Å" Yes†¦and let’s pick up magic wands on the way to zap them into compliant kittens.† In one small motion, you’ve agreed with your partner and added to the storyline. But just why exactly is it so important to agree with your improv partner? Part of what’s key to an improv exercise is a â€Å"suspension of judgment,† which Mark Tutton brings up in his article â€Å"Why Using Improvisation To Teach Business Skills is No Joke.† He quotes Fuqua professor Robert Kulhan as saying: â€Å"Improvisation isnt about comedy, its about reacting—being focused and present in the moment at a very high level.† And reacting as coolly as a chilled cucumber means escaping what Kulhan describes as â€Å"analysis paralysis.† Tutton quotes Kulhan as saying: â€Å"Theres a misconception in business that you have to be 100% correct 100% of the time, whereas the truth is you have to be 100% correct about 10% of the time—the rest of the time you have to just make decisions†¦if you just make a decision youll have room to adapt and react.† Remaining free of judgment makes snappier decision-making more possible, and without the fear of making an unalterable error. So what if you seemingly can’t find the time or mental space in your hectic day-to-day schedule to shake your hibernating imagination out of its slumber? What if you just can’t get into the improv swing of things? Don’t worry, it’s a common reaction, and it’s called â€Å"idea blocking.† Here’s also where there’s a really strong parallel between improv and the work environment: â€Å"Giardella says idea blocking happens all the time in the business world. And one of the most common blocks is the ‘yes, but’. Even though you say ‘yes’, the ‘but’ says, Yeah, but thats not really valid because here is the better point,' wrote Fluch. The more students practice improv techniques, writes Fluch, the more mindful they become of catching themselves saying â€Å"yes, but† to their peers—in and outside of the class. That alone can be a very valuable bit of self-awareness to take with them out into the real world as they establish themselves in new careers, and strive to be effective team players and leaders. There’s also an element of failure in the class, writes Fluch, which can really get business students in a bit of a tizzy. Fluch quotes Giardella as saying: Usually I get so many eyebrows going up because of course in a business environment, and certainly an academic environment, use the word ‘fail’ and people take notice†¦But as an improviser, you gotta know how to rebound. Its not about whether you make the perfect offer, its about how you rebound if you dont. In essence, every so-called failure creates another opportunity to learn something new and to incorporate that new knowledge going forward. Ultimately, given that there’s no insurance (that we know of) to guard against failure, how we manage to pick ourselves up when we have in fact fallen down (with some dignity, we hope) is really what matters most. While an improv class may not help build a more effective marketing plan, or financial model, it will help contend with all the unanticipated â€Å"fires† and team dysfunctions that crop up on our professional journeys. So before you rush to tell someone â€Å"no,† think of saying â€Å"yes.† And before you add the word â€Å"but,† try to force out an â€Å"and.† If you have to add something about outer space, monsters, or Vikings, have at it. A little levity can go a long way—and not just in an improv class. Photo courtesy of Thisisbossi. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog Bloomberg ranks Hult in top 100 Global MBAs. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Related posts News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI News Is mail a dying form for businesses and marketing? Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .