B-schools lay a lot of emphasis on your capacity to make an impact. There are two angles to this – one related to the impact that you have already made in the organizations you have worked for, and the other concerning how you intend to make your presence felt in the program you are hoping to join.
Let’s consider these factors by turn.
Do you work in a large organization, a family business, or a start-up? Or have you begun an entrepreneurial venture of your own? The answer could decide what kind of impact you can show.
Large organizations usually have a hierarchical managerial structure where, as a young professional who has not yet put in too many years on the job, you may not have had the opportunity to make a dramatic, large-scale impact. It does not matter. In smaller ways, have you proven your capacity to lead? Maybe in a project in which you were involved, you came up with a new idea that worked beautifully; or maybe in some way you inspired your team-mates to bring out their best; or it could even be that you volunteered for a charity and were instrumental in raising substantial funds for a noteworthy cause. Whatever the case, the bottom line is that you were impactful.
And in the event that you received a promotion, the very fact that, within a brief span of time, you succeeded in making your mark in a large company speaks volumes for your leadership potential.
In smaller organizations – in many family businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurial ventures – there is greater scope for displaying initiative, taking calculated risks, and assuming a variety of responsibilities that prove your mettle as a leader. These are rich learning experiences that can make you more versatile and adaptable, as well as hone your skills in the fundamentals of business. How have these qualities positioned you to make a more powerful impact in the days to come?
Adcoms look out for applicants who will add value to the program and, at a later stage, play active roles as alumni. What special knowledge, experience, or expertise do you possess that you can bring to the class? Do you know interesting speakers you can call to address the students? Are you planning to start a club of your own? Perhaps you would like to assist a specific professor with his or her research. As an alumnus, once you have progressed professionally, do you see yourself becoming a mentor?
Of course, to be convincing in what you say, you will need to research the program in question inside out before you formulate a plan of action.
Making an impact is what leadership is all about. The more you can highlight your capacity and potential for this, the more any b-school will want to have you in its roll.
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