MBA Leadership on Campus this Political Season

MBA World Summit Con Brio Magazine

MBA Leadership on Campus this Political Season

By Sean McNulty

The upcoming US election has brought politics to the forefront of university campuses around the world. Although we are far from the action here in Singapore, the election in the world’s dominant superpower is the top topic both in and out of the classroom. Asia is high on the agenda as well, whether it is about the rise of China or the appropriate foreign policy response to North Korea. All of the fascinating narratives, hyped so effectively by the American media, make for great entertainment.

Along with all this excitement, we are witnessing one of the most contentious elections in recent history. Two outsiders have stirred up the debate and spoiled what was supposed to be the setup of Bush vs Clinton II. The deviation from script has stirred up emotions, many of which have been expressed on university campuses. The emotions have gotten the better of many of the students, who at times have been completely incapable of dealing with opinions that differ from their own in a civilized manner.

Some of this behavior is understandable. Most undergraduates are under 24 years old, have yet to have had a demanding job or serious personal responsibilities. Some PHDs are in the same situation, with their entire lives spent on campus writing papers and conducting research, providing for a relatively sheltered worldview. 

MBAs are unique on university campuses. They not only are highly educated, many of whom hold masters degrees in addition to their undergraduate degrees, MBAs have had demanding jobs and serious personal responsibilities. In fact, many are completing an MBA in addition to supporting a family. They generally have lived long enough to see their idealist vision of the world crushed.

Given these attributes, MBAs have an important role to play as the debate grows more contentious as November approaches. Being familiar with marketplaces for goods, MBAs can be advocates for marketplaces of ideas rather than “safe-spaces”. Having had to work with people they don’t like, MBAs can channel Voltaire and espouse disapproving of what someone says but defending their right to say it. Most importantly, MBAs should channel Tharman Shanmugaratnam and ensure their universities are not defined by their most disorderly elements.