Ralf Boscheck

(written way back in Febuary, but never finished it until today)
Ok, you have heard me rave about this guy for way too long. Here he is. http://www01.imd.ch/faculty/vitae/index.cfm?id=127
Don't freak out. He doesn't look like this any more. Not sure why they don't update pictures. Today was his last session with us. He gave us one of his two "quizes". It was, as usual, true or false. I get a feeling that he isn't all too crazy about the idea of exams. (The MBA program director commeneted to me at the beginning of the program that they are trying to have a few more tests during the program this year) Maybe Ralf is just going with policy. Anyway, like I have said, he is pretty damn good. Just like a classmate said, the stuff that Ralf teaches is not really going to be used in our jobs in the future, but it is great as personal development. I agree 100%.

He offered some advice. It wasn't the classic kind of advice that just makes me yawn. He told us a story about his first year here. One of the professors told him that before long, he would lose sight of how quickly time passes, and warned him to treasure his time at IMD. His advice was around how we should learn about life during the year we are spending here, and not just about academics.

It moved us, and the applause didn't stop until Ralf exited the auditorium. I think most of us identified with what he said. In addition, it wasn't some arcane advice on economics. Most of us took a year off because we have reached a point in our lives where we just need to figure out what we want to do. I am no exception. I am spending all my time in class, and I am missing out on what I came here to do: think.