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aurobindo
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All - does leader have to be defined as business leader? I know we all want to guard against sounding too touchy-feely, since we're all going to go off and conquer the world, etc. after graduating from the top MBA program of our dreams...but wouldn't it be effective to pick a different kind of leader? How about someone in your neighborhood who started a successful community center from the ground up, or a grass-roots politician in your area who is actually doing something to help his or her constituents, or an investigative reporter who writes a series of articles exposing a coverup, or even a local minister who works with troubled young adults...ok, obviously I live in NYC, so there's an awful lot of that around, in terms of examples to use. But all of the people listed above have the capacity for effecting great, sweeping positive change. Must you choose a famous corporate person?

I'm afraid you will all think I am terrible cheesy for suggesting this, but I think I could tell a great story about any of the individuals above, and in doing so, hit all of the key points that make a true leader and resound with me: strength of character, determination, struggle in the face of adversity, creative vision, optimism, and ultimately, real success.

Your thoughts?


I agree. I actually admire the types of people you listed above way more than *enter random CEO*, but that's me.
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Not sure if this helps you -- Why not start with the qualities of a leader YOU think are most desirable -- the kind of leader you want to be -- and then find one that has shown consistent performance with respect to most of these qualities.

I think of Steve Jobs - I think eccentric, follow your heart, passionate, driven, change the world, knows how to sell.

I think Nelson Mandela - I think principle, sacrifice, lead by example.

I am a SJ kinda guy -- somewhere between saving the world and having no impact on anyone whatsoever.
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great leaders..

I liked the idea of King Arthur. What about Sir. Lancelot.

Romero

how about the Dean of the school you are applying to?

How about your father or mother

Perhaps your brother or a footbal coach.

J.P. Morgan

Einstein

Perhaps you need to define Leader for yourself.

There are so many great leaders out there, most of the best leaders are the ones you never heard of. Silent leaders. The only way you will write anything that the adcom has not seen is by using the silent individual leaders, the ones you have met in your life.
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If I were to write on this topic, I would pick Gandhi. I haven't come across any other individual with such mental strength. He was awesome. Watch the movie Gandhi and you will know what I mean.
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How about writing about Roy Keane/Stefan Effenberg/Lothar Mattheus (All soccer)?

Gandhi and Hitler (:-D ) are terrific options too..
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Roy keane-you are probably cork man :wink:
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Gandhi and Hitler in the same sentence... this is a sacrilege... :P

How about George W... I know its political.. but this president has cojones.. muchos grande cojones...
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excelgmat
Roy keane-you are probably cork man :wink:


Football is global and you don't have to be from Cork to love Man U and Roy Keane- the Legend..:)
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aviroop
Gandhi and Hitler in the same sentence... this is a sacrilege... :P

How about George W... I know its political.. but this president has cojones.. muchos grande cojones...

hes an MBA too
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aviroop
Gandhi and Hitler in the same sentence... this is a sacrilege... :P

How about George W... I know its political.. but this president has cojones.. muchos grande cojones...
hes an MBA too


Use Mitt Romney before GW...GW was bottom of his class at HBS and a horrible business man. Mitt was top 5% with JD/MBA, was a stud at Bain consulting so much so they put him in charge of Bain Capital. He is a model of what an MBA should be like. (note, RR is definitely not a republican).

Gettin into HBS thirty years ago was a far easier task, they had half the applicants for the same number of seats. Even a moron could get in, with a dad who was chairman of the RNC and had just been ambassador to the UN. (note that may hold true even today with almost any school)
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Pick a subject matter you are passionate about and then pick a person who is the face of the cause or whatever. Avoid political types, though it would be ballsy to say you would be GW Bush and on the day you were in his shoes you would submit your resignation...Dead people are OK and it doesnt have to be a famous person or even a well known person.
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