Yesterday I started the last class of my MBA course work.  Yes, I know, its about time.  The class is global strategy.  Seemingly an interesting and applicable topic.  However, here is the challenge.  The professor teaching the class has had his PhD since 1975 and has been, essentially, in academia since.  Yesterday he gave us his bio and stated that he had two short stints in the professional world early on in his life but found that the accountability for decisions wasn’t what he was looking for so he returned to academia.  What?!?!  So you feel that because you’ve written, studied, and investigated global strategy, yet have never actually needed to make, implement, and live with strategic decisions you are qualified to teach this class of business executives (it is an executive MBA program) how to make appropriate strategic decisions?  It boggles my mind, and is incredibly frustrating.

My frustration has led me to think about the rest of the business world and how many people, in effect, state “do as I say not as I do or never have done.”  I’ve read a number of business books in the last few months and have been inspired in many ways to make changes in what I do.  However, I do research on the authors of these books, and look at their credentials and touch with reality.  I’m not naive or arrogant enough to think that people can’t teach me if they don’t have more experience than I do.  The are pieces of knowledge and wisdom out there for the taking.  I also recognize there are areas of knowledge that require research and investigation, i.e. economic modeling, chemistry, biology, etc.  However, I do expect that when I seek knowledge I expect to be taught by someone with valuable and applicable knowledge.  The material for this class is primarily made up of books and articles that were written before 1995.  Again, it is a global strategy class.  Please raise your hand if you actually think that global strategy hasn’t changed in the last 10 to 15 years.

Anyway, the point of this rant is be careful where you search for knowledge.  Be sure you have some background.  Just because some knowledge makes you feel good doesn’t mean it is true or valuable.  Buzzwords are far too often taken as knowledge in business.  It’s like fad diets to lose weight quickly, when everyone knows you need to cut calories, eat healthier, and exercise regularly.  There is no substitute for hard work, team cohesion, clear communication, and passion for success.

teach learn advise rant