In the 21st century, both the tools we use to work and the work itself have drastically changed. The information boom brought on by the internet and advancements in digital technology have allowed us to work more intelligently. It has also demanded that we, as professionals, stretch the limits of our roles to increasingly house more capabilities and skills. For this reason, the William & Mary Online MBA program highlights what's needed from 21st century business leaders.
"They need to be able to be players in all aspects," William & Mary Online MBA student Harris Ligon explains, as he discusses the benefits of becoming a "Renaissance Manager" and how the program prepares professionals to approach problems in a unique, non-formulaic manner.
With an emphasis on critical thinking, the curriculum provides students with a breadth of knowledge and creative problem-solving skills that can be applied across a wide variety of business specialties. This approach ensures that no matter how businesses continue to evolve, professionals will be prepared to handle the challenges ahead.
"It has changed the way that I approach problems on a day-to-day basis," Ligon says about the program. "The beautiful thing about it is, I think, at the end of the day, it's making me a better, more effective employee, a much more effective leader, and the value that comes out of that for the organization is immeasurable."
Video Transcript
My name is Harris Ligon. I am a current student in Online MBA. What other programs offer out there, when they transfer into an online setting, tend to follow a very scripted course. It's very formulaic. But when you think about it, that's not what, really, most organizations need today. That's actually not what the world needs. We don't need folks who can just go out and figure out the financial aspect of something. We don't need somebody who can just figure out the technology or the operational aspect of it, or even just the human side of it. They need to be able to be players in all aspects and then develop them into something that drives results.
When I think about renaissance management, I think about Leonardo da Vinci and being able to be knowledgeable in so many different areas. I will tell you this. It has changed the way that I approach problems on a day-to-day basis. Because I don't just think about what the basic challenges are. I think about what the downstream effects will be. But I also think about what the upstream effects are and why we're even here talking about this challenge. The beautiful thing about it is that, I think, at the end of the day, it's making me a better, more effective employee, a much more effective leader. The value that derives or that comes out of that for the organization is immeasurable.
Interested in becoming a Renaissance Manager? Learn more from another Online MBA student.