For Easter Term, we have a session conducted by Lord Stevenson called "Leadership-in-Action", where he invites people he knows to talk about their achievements and for us to pick their brains.

On Fri, 22 May 09, the Leadership-in-Action was different. Instead of having someone who is currently deemed successful, Lord Stevenson invited Mr Robert Ayling who suffered 2 major setbacks in his career as Chief Executive of British Airways and Chairman of the Millenium Dome.

Without going into the rights and wrongs of the situation, the session focused on how an individual can pick himself up again after very public setbacks. Lord Stevenson also shared with us his personal setbacks and the essence of his personal mastery.

'Good Fren' and I loved the bits about 'Self-Awareness'.
Being honest to oneself, accepting oneself, and working with oneself.

In a world where people enjoy highlighting successes (positives) and avoid discussion failures/setbacks (negatives), many of my classmates found this session to be useful. One said,


I always thought people (as in everyone... people in the streets... people like me etc) understood what setbacks were. Over the years, it has become obvious to me that 'experiencing setbacks' is not commonplace. There are people who have not had 'real setbacks' in their lives. My definition of 'real' is based on the pre-requisite of 'life-changing conditions'. It is especially clear in situations where people are forced to pen their MBA programme application essays.


o_0

At 7pm that evening, a group of 60+ MBAs made their way to Churchill College for a Super Hall. Some went on bikes. Others went in cabs, kindly organised by a classmate.


It's been a long time since I was last at Churchill College. I must say I felt a tinge of irrational pride that the college could hold so many of my classmates at the same time.

I could feel some 'college' pride undercurrents going on. While 'Good Fren' was wearing his Churchill cufflinks, Axel was wearing his Wolfson ones.
Ooooooohhh!!! =)))

This was the exact spot where 'Good Fren' and I first set foot in Churchill College, i.e. we alight from the cab, in Sep 08.


A bunch of 70+ MBAs and partners making their way to the Dining Hall.


4 long tables were set up for Super Hall that evening. We occupied 75%. =))


The bright airy dining hall was filled with lively chatter and the clinking of cutlery.


Erik (US) was charming this little waitress for more veges.


And I must say it worked. She gave him so much veges that you could no longer see the sea bass well.


Deepankar (India) was too shy to ask for more veges from this fine young female specimen.

Though Deepankar refused to admit it, the food at Churchill is indeed very good. =))

By the end of dinner, the digicams were working doubly hard.


The Churchillians brought the guests out on the lawn quickly, before the sun set.


Most people were happy to be able to step on the grass.

Andre (New Zealand) was quick to peel off his shoe and sock to feel the Churchillian lawn with his toes. =))

He then began to coax others into doing the same.

Soon, the sun took a rest, and we made our way back into the building.


More lively chatter... This time with some drinks.

Quite a few people were still talking about the Leadership-in-Action which took place earlier in the evening.

It's hard to believe that 'the end' is around 3 weeks away.

Some have commented that it must be difficult for a few people to be organising a dinner at such a scale. These things are relative. It's gonna be even more difficult in a few weeks. After the MBA, we will not be able to have a meal together so easily.