The World as a Campus. What Am I Learning from My Leap Back to School?

Last December, I went back to school for the first time after decades in the corporate world. I was taking the first of three weeklong INSEAD Coaching Certificate modules of the at its Fontainebleau campus. As I gingerly set off from my hotel in the dark of the French winter, I asked myself what I was doing walking in the fog at 7.45am, in zero-degree weather, when the sun hadn’t even risen. By some miracle, I didn’t get lost.

That first morning took me back in time to other first days at school. What would my classmates be like? Would we get along? They must all be super-duper smart. And where would that leave me? There were more than 30 of us and I’d gone through their very impressive bios on our course site and it was an impressive peer group indeed – from banking, Pharma, tech, consulting... Should I be nervous?

Fast forward four months. Last week, I came back from Paris after completing my second weeklong ICC module.?I realised that being in a different environment for two short weeks, a quarter apart, in a totally different environment, has made me learn a lot about learning, and about myself.?

In between modules I was in Singapore, working on setting up a new business, building communications workshops, learning, connecting with a new ecosystem, finding and coaching new clients (yes, new clients are a course requirement).

Years ago, my then coach Therese Tong, PCC made me realise that modern leadership isn’t like conducting a symphony orchestra where all the music is found on a score. Instead, leadership now calls for the agility and improvisational skills of a jazz bandleader who also needs to recognise, connect with, and bring out the best in each bandmember. ?

And as I start pivoting towards a different path to focus on Communications consulting and training, I felt this was as good a time as any to build a different set of muscles. And so far, it’s been a rich workout.

Space for New Perspectives

Going back to school has given me the space to take in new perspectives. Yes, there are reams of pre-reads and we’ve been really privileged to hear from and discuss case studies with some of academia’s foremost researchers on topics like power, culture, and group dynamics.

Add experiential learning to that, and we watch those dynamics play out in our group work, where we’re doing, living, and processing our coursework not only in our groups on site but also long after we’ve left our classrooms. Some of my “ah-ha” moments have come while on a cliff walk in Brittany, or reading books our lecturers have referenced, or when I’m in the middle of a discussion in Singapore. Not to mention an epic cooking fail when I tried to make my first galettes last weekend– but I will persevere!

Lots of food for thought came from a recent 360, an Immunity to Change exercise, and learning how to listen deeply and with curiosity. The accompanying self-reflection and self-realisations have been invaluable, although sometimes painful. And I’m just only skimming the surface.

New People, New Perspectives

Having classmates from myriad backgrounds and industries adds layers of richness to our experience. They bring such varied perspectives and insights. Among my classmates are people who have run global business units, sit on board of telcos, or are studying what makes opera companies thrive in the era of decreasing public funding. And all of them learn and build new information with curiosity and humility.

And because everyone comes from everywhere else, you can bet there are vociferous discussions on everything from culture and politics to leadership and power. It’s a great opportunity to practice seeking out differences in opinion and learning to be comfortable holding opposing ideas. There’s value in discomfort, and benefit in accepting disagreement and still having a glass of wine or coffee together. And in case you’re wondering – we’ve only been served wine at dinner, not lunch. Also the snacks and coffee are unending.

New Learnings that Take Place Anywhere

Finally, learning doesn’t just take place inside an auditorium. Last night, one of my German classmates who is in town for another INSEAD course, along one of my Dutch classmates who works here, had dinner with a friend and I.

Two of my dinner companions were in the medical field, one in banking, and the exchange of ideas and possibilities were rich and stimulating. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just the cocktails and fab food at Lolla. I really enjoy how the “campus” has extended across borders.

So, back to my original trepidation about going back to school. What would my classmates be like? Varied. Would we ALL get along? To varying degrees. Are they super smart? Yes, in very different ways. Did I have reason to be nervous? Not really, but hey, I’m human.?

In March, when we all went back for our second module, we greeted each other with tremendous warmth – what amazing bonds, and a marked difference from when we were politely curious strangers on our first day in December.

Learning truly takes place in different forms, and happens anywhere. And as I work on building something entirely new for myself and look to make an impact on clients and community, I’m really happy to be back at school, where learning has no walls, and education transcends academia.?

And what are your thoughts about #learning ?