Harbus

Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: News

Finally, I have been surprised and disappointed to see that in interviews conducted as part of a promotional tour, Mr. Delves Broughton has elected to focus almost exclusively on the negative aspects of his time at HBS with remarks that seem carefully crafted to shock and provoke, and which further propagate his errors and mischaracterizations. Although I can understand his and his publisher's desire to sell books, it seems as though the author taking part in these interviews is not the same one who wrote that he found the School "terrific" and "rewarding."

The vast majority of HBS's 70,000 alumni have gone on to lead fulfilling and influential careers in all parts of the world, becoming leaders in a wide variety of areas, including manufacturing, financial services, consulting, high technology, government, social enterprises, and science-based businesses. For them, the HBS experience has been transformational. Indeed, the author includes himself in that group: "For me and for everyone I knew, Harvard changed the view of our future and the possibilities available to us through business," he writes.
Unfortunately, for many individuals, that message is likely to be lost amidst the plethora of inaccuracies and a marketing campaign aimed at sensationalizing the book.

Carl Kester
Mizuho Financial Group Professor of Finance
Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs

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