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[INAUDIBLE] >> We're all super pumped and
ready to rock.
>> I'm so excited for my squad.
I think they're going to have an amazing day.
I'm so proud of them.
They're going to see how far they've come, and they're going to crush it.
>> The last three months were full of learning and
today's kind of the judgment day, like can I apply what I learned?
>> The students are so impressive.
And it's so inspiring to have a chance to meet them so early in their GSB career.
>> The opportunity to get into real business situations that I've never been
in before, like having to fire someone.
It's really exciting and in a low-risk environment.
>> We organize events like this because we believe in intergenerational learning.
>> We have to remember that they're first year students and
haven't been in business 20 years.
Tough love is fine to a point, but I think a little nurturing is good as well.
>> I did a lot of thinking about the things that I want to get out of today.
But beyond that, I just kind of can't wait to see what happens.
>> I just don't know what to expect, I have no idea what's coming.
>> I'm a fellow, so I'm leading one of the squads through the executive challenge.
All through the quarter, we've been preparing our squads in order to do well.
But then also last night, kind of thinking through what we're going to do,
how we're going to support them.
>> Even though these scenarios are all kind of made-up,
the kinds of issues that they have to address are very real.
And I think they focus appropriately on the human aspects of business,
that's kind of where business lives.
>> We try not to focus on the details too much.
But more trying to think about what is our big strategy, what is our broad mission,
what are the personalities that we're trying to play in our roles?
>> I think I'm just looking forward to having an opportunity to give back and
maybe take myself back to those days of being in the classroom, or
a little bit of the nervousness, but also just helping these students kind of
formulate their visions and their ideas and how they would solve some of these
problems that might occur in their careers.
>> We just ended the executive challenge,
so it was really cool, really, really nice.
We had an interaction for alumni, which tried
to tease us a little during the case, but it was really nice and interesting.
>> It was more fun that I thought it [LAUGH] was going to be,
a little less nerve racking once you get in there.
>> We had prepared a kind of very clear plan that we thought we'd share and
try to get through, and we kind of had to pivot as we were doing it.
>> I think it was a fun way to kind of recap the entire year.
It'll amp up the pressure a little bit, heighten the stakes, but overall,
it went well, and I think we enjoyed it.
>> Yeah, it's great to see the changes the squad has made from the first day,
from the first kickoff we had until today.
It's fun to see them all put all the skills they've learned,
all the hardworking cases into one pretty impressive display.
The first case of the day is always a little challenging,
and I'm very proud of how they set the tone for the rest of the day.
>> [LAUGH] They crushed it.
They did a better of a job than I did last year, that's for sure.
[LAUGH] >> It was an interesting experience.
It was occasionally stressful, but I think at the end really productive.
>> It was terrifying and enlightening at the same time.
It was great.
>> Oh, it was intense, it was good.
I think we did a good job.
We should have listened more, but it was great.
>> Some people came up with really unique ideas that
was not part of the original package.
And it was just fun at the end of the day to really kind of
throw some curveballs at them and see how they react.
>> It's one of those cases where there's no right answer.
And so there's some pieces of it you need to get right, but
the different ways people are creative about it and
different ways in which students work the problem makes it really fun.
>> A big part of the GSB is learning from your classmates.
And it's an amazing opportunity to get to see and
learn from all of the GSB alums that come back for this every year.
>> I come to campus knowing that this is a really important part of the learning
process for the students, but I frankly walk away every time reminding myself that
I've got a few things to learn as well, it's been a great morning.
>> GSB executive challenge!
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