Session 19: March 11, 2008

Careers

Guest: 1:15 Randy Komisar & 3:15 Bill Campbell

 

Quote of the Day

"The basic question is, what vision to aspire to?" ~ Abraham Maslow

Summary

Great leadership is an art form. What makes a great leader?  Can leaders be developed or are they born that way?  Is there a difference between management and leadership? What is the relationship between ethics and leadership? Is being unethical a viable means to success?

Today we will have a free-wheeling discussion with one of Silicon Valley's most respected leaders. We will weave issues of leadership and business ethics with your more immediate concerns regarding careers and personal development. Come ready with your questions and fully prepared to participate in a lively discussion.

 

Required Readings (Policy on Required Readings.)

• Read the bio of our guest (click on his name above)
• E145 Topic Map
• Top 10 Enduring Elements of High Technology Entrepreneurship
• Readings from the Textbooks:
• Technology Ventures (Dorf and Byers): Review Chapter 7 Venture Creation and the Business Plan (7.4), Chapter 12 The New Enterprise Organization (12.3, 12.5, 12.6) and Chapter 20 Leading a Technology Venture to Success (20.2, 20.4)
• Watch the following short video clips:
• Jeff Hawkins (Palm) - Work - Life Balance
• Karen Richardson (E.piphany) - Company Ethics
• Vinod Kholsa (KPCB) - To Get an MBA, or Not?
• Jeff Raikes (Microsoft) - Choosing the Path that is Right for You
• John Doerr (KPCB) - Career Advice
• Geoff Davis (Unitus) - Following your Gut

Study Questions (Policy on Study Questions.)

• In your opinion, what is the role of ethics in high-technology entrepreneurship today? Does character matter? How will you preserve your core values as your strive for success? Some examples include:
• A personal board of directors to help keep you grounded
• Visualization of a Wall Street Journal expose about you in 5 years
• Writing down your core values for reference and guidance
• What career path do you envision for yourself? Some examples include:
• Joining an established company.
• Spending some time at an established company then joining a start-up
• Founding or joining a start-up immediately after graduation
• Getting another degree, such as an MBA or an MS
• What are the driving forces and realities behind your potential career choices? What are the risks and rewards in your anticipated path?

Individual Online Assignment (Policy on Online Assignments.)

Everyone must submit a one page Personal Business Plan. Please read the Personal Business Plan document to see what we expect to read in your Executive Summary.

 

Sometimes it’s good to ask big questions. Maslow’s big question was " what vision to aspire to?" Please come to class with one big question for our guest. This does not need to be turned in or emailed to the teaching team. But we would strongly suggest taking some time to think of a good question for our guest.