First Lesson in BiMBA: Learn Leadership from West Point
Sep 01-2014
Foreword: In August, Langrun Gardens saw a group of new faces, young and vigorous, from the MBA Class of 2014. As the cradle of business leaders, the BiMBA program in the National School of Development (NSD) is dedicated to shaping its students’ leadership with international visions. Thus, on August 4th with the incoming new students, the program brought its first lesson: Leadership in West Point, from West Point officers.
The Bond between BiMBA and West Point
The United States Military Academy at West Point, established in 1802, is one of America's oldest military academies. Its motto is “Duty”, “Honor”, “Country”. More than 3700 military generals and two U.S. presidents graduated from there. Also it’s a cradle of American entrepreneurship, contributing over 1000 chairmen, 2000 vice chairmen, and 5000 presidents in the world top 500 companies.
The cooperation between NSD BiMBA and West Point can be traced back to 2004, when Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, former West Point president, visited China, and gave a speech at Peking University. He was impressed by the leadership course in BiMBA and the quality of its students, and suggested further cooperation between the two institutions. In May 2009, West Point held leadership seminars for BiMBA graduates, which was highly received. Since 2005, BiMBA and West Point have been exchanging teachers and students for on-site observation and study, and sharing experience in leadership research. By 2014, West Point has had two principals and several generals teach the BiMBA leadership courses.
During their visit, Major Brian Montgomery and two cadets introduced "West Point Leadership Development" and its application to BiMBA leadership courses. Professor Yang Zhuang, Co-Dean of BiMBA program, extended his cordial welcome to the officers.
Guest speaker Major Brian Montgomery graduated from West Point in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2013, he received his M.A. from New York University in industrial/ organizational psychology (also known as Business Psychology). Currently, Major Montgomery is teaching leadership-related psychology courses at West Point.
Leadership is Natural or Developed?
Major Montgomery asked: "Is leadership natural or it can be developed?" while students were expressing various opinions, Major gave his answer with three quotes. Leadership is a natural gift, but it can also be developed. West Point's mission is to train and inspire its cadets through education, so that they can become leaders at graduation. Training for leadership is West Point’s dedication, and their graduates have the following traits:
?Warrior
Equipped with the spirit of a warrior, strategic and tactical excellence, mental and physical strength, and triumphalism.
? Servant of the Nation
Understand the relationship between the military and society – the military belong to the people as public servants.
? Leader of Character
Influence others to accomplish missions, pursue truth, capable of using discretion and following orders.
? Member of a Profession
Professionally competent, with socially granted authority. Officership is a profession, a lifelong mission, not merely a job
? The Philosophy in Leadership Development: Physical and Intellectual Competence
The program is based on the development of cadets’ intellectual, physical and military capabilities, to prepare their abilities and characters for the final four traits above. West Point’s cultural influence, ubiquitous exemplars and standardized requirements are all essential in shaping cadets’ characters, cultivating their sense of responsibility and professional ethics, and inspiring their pursuit of the true meaning of life.
This philosophy is demonstrated academically, militarily and physically, as the three pillars for cadets throughout their 47 months of study. Each cadet attends about forty courses, including thirty-four required courses, and six specialized courses to determine their graduation degrees. Militarily, with their increasing experience, cadets grow from team members (Pvt) as freshmen, team leaders (corporal), to small unit leaders (sergeant), and finally military leaders (officers). Physically, cadets will train new recruits after they train themselves. With these three pillars, a cadet will develop from a disciplined new recruit to a team leader in four years, which is exactly the presentation of West Point’s "Build Leaders of Character."
It is worth noting that West Point is focused on "Physical and Intellectual Competence”. Major Montgomery quoted the ancient Greek historian Thucydides: “The state that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.” West Point is therefore dedicated to fully develop its cadets with the support of its three pillars.
LGM leadership growth model: progress is impossible without trying
The LGM leadership growth model includes three steps: intake, experience, and review. Students learn leadership theories and observe other leaders. With the leadership experience as team members, team leaders and peer leaders, they review their learning through dialogues with mentors, self-reflection and diaries. Such a model effectively helps West Point cadets become capable leaders with their own characters.
"Progress is impossible without trying” is a universally acknowledged truth. But failure is inevitable. West Point encourages cadets to try new things, and accept subsequent risks and failures. We should realize that, all leaders have failed before, even repeatedly. But they eventually become leaders, rather than losers because they learn from failures to avoid further mistakes. This allows students to be more tolerant to failure in individuals and teams as they become leaders, which is fundamental for the development of both individuals and organizations.
After the Major’s speech, two cadets shared their stories about how they handled failure, faced and overcome their challenges. Their candor and sincerity was loudly applauded. Also, the Major invited students to interact with him on the stage, experiencing West Point’s training. After this interaction was the Q&A session, and Major gave brilliant answers to audience’s questions.
Professor Yang Zhuang reviewed the friendly communications between West Point and BiMBA, and once again summarized for his students the key concepts from West Point leadership development.
Source: BiMBA Program, National School of Development at Peking University
