Sign in with FacebookRobyn's Reviews > Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School
Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School
by Philip Delves Broughton (Goodreads Author)
by Philip Delves Broughton (Goodreads Author)
Overall, I think this book is a good description of one person's experience at HBS. Like all memoirs, this is a tale of one person's experience, formed by his own expectations, personality, and mindset. HBS, like everything else in life, if what you make of it.
I don't agree with many of the author's opinions - I had a great time at HBS despite entering with the lowest of expectations and serious dread of spending 2 years surrounded by arrogant a**holes, and I enjoyed the digression back to junior high/college since, like many of my classmates, I was too serious and focused the first time around to enjoy those carefree days - but he has every right to them and I can assure you that there are others who agree whole-heartedly with his points.
There is a scene in the book in which he describes sitting in his Section room first year when, after class, several member's from the previous year's section come in under the guise of discussing a serious issue. Eventually, all members of the previous years section enter the room and a rowdy period of practical jokes, teasing, and part planning ensues.
To be perfectly honest, I was one of the people from the old Section who was there during that scene. Yes there were some people who looked dour and annoyed (the author amongst them, I'm sure) but the majority of people were laughing and enjoying themselves. HBS, and especially first year, can be extremely intense and it's moments like these that can help break the tension, form bonds, and remind everyone that we're not actually the CEO of the business in crisis, we're just students trying to learn something.
HBS is far from perfect, there are people who embody the evil stereotype, the school goes overboard in reminding everyone who special and brilliant they are, and it's hard not to eventually believe the hype and develop an attitude of arrogance and entitlement. But, after 2 years, you get spit back out into the real world and are left with your normal attitude (i.e. the one you entered HBS with) and a lot more knowledge, friends, and memories
I don't agree with many of the author's opinions - I had a great time at HBS despite entering with the lowest of expectations and serious dread of spending 2 years surrounded by arrogant a**holes, and I enjoyed the digression back to junior high/college since, like many of my classmates, I was too serious and focused the first time around to enjoy those carefree days - but he has every right to them and I can assure you that there are others who agree whole-heartedly with his points.
There is a scene in the book in which he describes sitting in his Section room first year when, after class, several member's from the previous year's section come in under the guise of discussing a serious issue. Eventually, all members of the previous years section enter the room and a rowdy period of practical jokes, teasing, and part planning ensues.
To be perfectly honest, I was one of the people from the old Section who was there during that scene. Yes there were some people who looked dour and annoyed (the author amongst them, I'm sure) but the majority of people were laughing and enjoying themselves. HBS, and especially first year, can be extremely intense and it's moments like these that can help break the tension, form bonds, and remind everyone that we're not actually the CEO of the business in crisis, we're just students trying to learn something.
HBS is far from perfect, there are people who embody the evil stereotype, the school goes overboard in reminding everyone who special and brilliant they are, and it's hard not to eventually believe the hype and develop an attitude of arrogance and entitlement. But, after 2 years, you get spit back out into the real world and are left with your normal attitude (i.e. the one you entered HBS with) and a lot more knowledge, friends, and memories
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Duncan
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Nov 27, 2011 08:43pm
sometimes I think the reviews are more fruitful than reading the book. I'm still contemplating about buying it.
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