Alumni Perspective - Meg Whitman (MBA '79)
James Raybould (OB), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Features
Reflecting on HBS today, Whitman is similarly complimentary: "it's kept up with the times beautifully, which is pretty difficult for an educational institution." As she thinks about the next 100 years at HBS, she believes it will need to adapt in two principal ways:
"First of all, there is no question that economies are global, the world is flat, and we live in a very, very interconnected world. I'm not sure that HBS students shouldn't be sent to live in other parts of the world. Perhaps the 2nd year could be split into four quarters, and students would spend a couple months each in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. There's just no substitute for living abroad. HBS grads will need to be much more global than they are today.
Second, I would focus the school more on innovation and technology. As the world becomes flat, these are the only ways that a smaller country such as the U.S. can stay ahead of much larger countries like China and India. It is important to identify the next industries that will keep the U.S. strong. Technology is not limited to information technology, but must incorporate biotech, alternative energy, and other major new fields. Where HBS has traditionally looked to graduate future 'titans of industry,' it will increasingly need to generate leaders of innovation."
Shifting from advising Dean Light and future HBS Deans to guiding current students, Whitman counsels: "Do something that you love. You're going to spend A LOT of time at work. Many of your most fun or more frustrating times will be at your company. Sometimes it's pretty easy to be slotted into a career path, but you need to find and follow your passions." She has a closely related perspective on defining success: "Happiness and cohesiveness of the family is number one. I'm a wife, mother, sister, cousin first. Professionally, it comes down to 'do you love what you do and do you feel good about what you do?'"
As Whitman leaves eBay and continues to follow her passions, she's excited to serve as national co-chairperson of Senator John McCain's Presidential campaign. Beyond 2008, she's looking forward to shifting into other work that is not necessarily focused on business: "Although I never say never, eBay will likely be my last company. I might get more involved in public service or philanthropy." Media rumors are already hinting at Whitman pursuing a run to be Governor of California in 2010. With her track record to date, who's to say Meg Whitman won't next add "political leader" to the angles from which future HBS faculty and students can study her illustrious career accomplishments?
"First of all, there is no question that economies are global, the world is flat, and we live in a very, very interconnected world. I'm not sure that HBS students shouldn't be sent to live in other parts of the world. Perhaps the 2nd year could be split into four quarters, and students would spend a couple months each in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. There's just no substitute for living abroad. HBS grads will need to be much more global than they are today.
Second, I would focus the school more on innovation and technology. As the world becomes flat, these are the only ways that a smaller country such as the U.S. can stay ahead of much larger countries like China and India. It is important to identify the next industries that will keep the U.S. strong. Technology is not limited to information technology, but must incorporate biotech, alternative energy, and other major new fields. Where HBS has traditionally looked to graduate future 'titans of industry,' it will increasingly need to generate leaders of innovation."
Shifting from advising Dean Light and future HBS Deans to guiding current students, Whitman counsels: "Do something that you love. You're going to spend A LOT of time at work. Many of your most fun or more frustrating times will be at your company. Sometimes it's pretty easy to be slotted into a career path, but you need to find and follow your passions." She has a closely related perspective on defining success: "Happiness and cohesiveness of the family is number one. I'm a wife, mother, sister, cousin first. Professionally, it comes down to 'do you love what you do and do you feel good about what you do?'"
As Whitman leaves eBay and continues to follow her passions, she's excited to serve as national co-chairperson of Senator John McCain's Presidential campaign. Beyond 2008, she's looking forward to shifting into other work that is not necessarily focused on business: "Although I never say never, eBay will likely be my last company. I might get more involved in public service or philanthropy." Media rumors are already hinting at Whitman pursuing a run to be Governor of California in 2010. With her track record to date, who's to say Meg Whitman won't next add "political leader" to the angles from which future HBS faculty and students can study her illustrious career accomplishments?
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