The EMBA Diaries, Entry No.1

by Vyara Stoycheva, EMBA 2019

“If you go to business school, they will only teach you about finance!” exclaimed people in the now-distant 2015, when I was first pondering a plan to apply.

Well, I actually quite like to learn about finance. I don’t think you could ever know enough about the subject. But that’s a story for another time.

It has been more than a month since classes began, and nobody, absolutely no-one, has made any attempt to “teach” me any finance. These guys haven’t even mentioned it yet…

The very first thing you learn about at business school is You. The person you learn from? Yourself.

I had to write and submit my own eulogy. Overnight. With a deadline 23:59 hours.

I must admit I was skeptical. And it was hard. I haven’t shared the essay with my study group yet (sorry, guys).

But I had a to take a deep breath, a long look in the mirror and honestly think about what would people be saying about me when I am no longer around. What would I wish to be remembered by? Why does anyone need to know, or care?

Then I came across this video by Professor Dan Cable @ London Business School

“Eulogy is a chance to tell people what they do, that we appreciate most about them… Why is it that we, as a species, wait until they die to do that?”

If you lead people, please make time and watch it. It is less than 5 minutes long, but it is so important. You might not realize it, but you have a huge influence over their stories. Tell them who they are at their very best – let them bring that “best self” to work.

“After all, the “self” is just a story we tell ourselves about us.”

Make inspiring the stories of people you work with something to be remembered by.

What greater power than that?

With thanks to the people who bring out the best in me every day – my EMBA LJ2019 class @London Business School, all professors and staff I have encountered so far, my colleagues at work and, most important of all – my family.