An MBA is about more than just what happens in class. We spoke to two students from HEC Paris’ top secret Outdoor Leadership Seminar to find out the biggest lessons they’ve learned
For anyone who’s seen a cut-throat corporate drama like the hit series, Succession, you’ll have quickly learned that most real business negotiations happen in the down and dirty outside of the boardroom.
There’s research to back this up beyond the screen, too. According to the Harvard Business Review, outdoor activities such as wilderness adventure expeditions can be a far more effective way to develop leadership skills as they force you into new patterns of action that often aren’t tapped into indoors.
Decision-making expert and management professor Daniel Newark has overseen countless Outdoor Leadership Seminars (pictured below) while teaching on the HEC Paris MBA, and he firmly believes it’s the best way to put textbook theory to the test.
“If you only learn about a topic in the classroom, then the application of it will only make sense in theory. There’s nothing like actually standing in a real-life situation with seven or eight people looking to you for direction and having to implement the things you've learned,” he explains.
As part of the school’s intensive two-day seminar, teams of eight to 10 MBA students are put together to complete a series of increasingly difficult challenges encompassing everything from boat-building to ravine-crossing—all under the supervision of former French military officers.
If that doesn’t sound rigorous enough, each round requires every student to take the mantle of team leader, placing their managerial skills under the spotlight. Once completed, they’re given detailed, personalized feedback covering their strengths and where they can improve.
“The idea is to create a very memorable, intense experience that will stay with them after the degree,” Daniel adds.
But what do students really get out of this? BusinessBecause spoke to two current HEC MBA students who underwent the outdoor leadership training to find out:
Lia Ballard
A California native, Lia (pictured right) spent nine years working as a project manager for a FinTech company in the San Francisco Bay Area, before deciding to pursue an MBA abroad.
HEC Paris was her top choice for several reasons: first, its 16-month long program, which would allow her to learn about and explore more of Europe. Second, its reputation as a top-ranked business school, not only in Europe, but also globally. And third, what Lia describes as the school’s fun factor—which includes out-of-the-box activities such as the two-day Outdoor Leadership Seminar.
What did you learn about your own leadership style?
LB: I like to observe a situation before diving in, whereas there were other folks on my team who were much more ready to jump in and immediately take action. It challenged me to be more quick on the draw instead of being reserved.
How did you adapt your leadership?
LB: We had a section where we had to cross over a “ravine” several feet above the ground using a suspension harness system. I noticed that a lot of the women on our team were nervous and even though I actually don't like heights, I volunteered to be the first woman to go across. It was my hope that in facing my own fears, I’d be able to give encouragement to my team from across the way—saying, "Look, I've got it!"
What do you think is the most important skill a leader can have?
LB: Being able to communicate your plan effectively.
What impact has the Outdoor Leadership Seminar had on your career outlook?
LB: We definitely need more women in leadership roles. I do not believe that there is a gender imbalance in terms of one's conviction and ability to say, “You know what? Today, I'm going to tackle this obstacle. I'm going to conquer my fears.” Believing that you can go toe-to-toe with the best of them was a valuable takeaway.
So, after the MBA, I absolutely see myself in a senior leadership role. The Outdoor Leadership Seminar definitely helped me reflect more on how I can do that: be it from making decisions faster, to having more effective communication, to understanding my own strengths and weaknesses, as well as seeing how my team members work.
Jean-Luc Thebert
Having served as a French military air force pilot for over 10 years, Jean-Luc (pictured right) was already familiar with high-stakes team-building long before the army sponsored him to join the HEC Paris MBA.
This put him in an unusual position for the Outdoor Leadership Seminar. Since he had completed formal army training, he had the option to join as one of the supervising officers. But Jean-Luc was more interested in putting his own leadership skills to the test with “civilians”.
What did you learn about your own leadership style?
JT: It was really interesting to observe all of the reflexes I had in wanting to manage and solve the issues that [my team-mates] were in. I knew the solution for each obstacle, so I had to say nothing. It was really difficult to let them try to be themselves even if they had never done it before.
What do you think is the most important skill a leader can have?
JT: Listening.
How will you use the Outdoor Leadership Seminar skills you learned in your army career?
JT: You can’t use your team as robots instead of as humans. As a leader you may want to tell people how to do the task you are giving to them, but it’s better to say, “I can give you some guidance, but I will not tell you how to do it because it’s your work.”
It’s clear that pushing the bounds of your abilities in a wilderness situation can forge you into a better leader. How do you think you would fare?
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
7/07/2022
On Campus
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
1/06/2024
On Campus
Diverse
HEC, as an academic institution, serves as a launching pad for students to excel in their pursuits and careers. The diversity among students and professors is truly remarkable. The chance to attend seminars across five major continents is unparalleled. The exposure and relationships it fosters are invaluable.
Student
Verified
31/05/2024
On Campus
Super diverse
It's a super diverse and fascinating environment with tons of chances, but the management is very French, and the facilities like the gym and classrooms are not great. This makes the academic side quite ineffective. Plus, we're graded on a curve, leading to a competitive and sometimes toxic atmosphere. Despite all that, the benefits definitely overshadow the drawbacks.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Surreal academic experience
What stood out to me about HEC was the direction and insight it offered on coding approaches. Prior to joining the program, I attempted self-learning, but I felt disoriented and lacked a starting point.HEC enabled me to grasp the basics of programming and provided support when I encountered obstacles. Without that guidance, I doubt I would have achieved the progress I have made to date.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Good security
HEC boasts a dedicated team of security personnel who undergo rigorous training to ensure the perpetual maintenance of tranquility and orderliness within the institution. Their unwavering efforts are directed towards fostering a sense of security among the student body, thereby enabling them to channel their energies predominantly towards their academic pursuits.
Student
Verified
17/07/2024
On Campus
Innovative teaching method
I am thoroughly enjoying my time at HEC, from the innovative teaching methods to the welcoming campus environment, which is particularly supportive of international students. The extracurricular opportunities, such as sports and associations, are incredibly valuable. Additionally, the career services offered are exceptional. Overall, I find my experience at HEC to be truly enriching.
