by Steve Terusaki, MBA 89, Haas Alumni Forums Director
L eadership can be an isolating experience, particularly when it is the “top” position. The expectation that the “Leader” will have all the answers, be able to navigate uncharted territories and be decisive in making pivotal decisions can become an unrelenting burden of responsibility. Leaders benefit from trusted cohorts: those who can provide critical feedback even if it is not easy to hear, who can understand that not everything can be discussed, and who can also commit to the level of confidentiality for discussions that matter most in the organization. And yet, there are times when the leader cannot discuss critical sensitive issues, nor be counseled on tough decisions by even these trusted cohorts. Thus, it is not uncommon for leaders to feel “alone at the top,” leading to stress and burnout.
Peer forums offer a solution to this isolation by creating a supportive community that understand the complexities of leadership. Forums offer a confidential “brave” space where leaders can talk about the things that matter most in their lives, – the things that they cannot talk about with anyone else. We say that these are the 5% that are part of our lives: the best 5% and the worst and most fearful 5%.
The Alumni Conference highlights the amazing accomplishments of Haas alums who are changing the world! The keynote by Jan Shelly Brown (JSB) was just the beginning of the day. Haas faculty are doing amazing research which was shared in the various presentations throughout the day. The Haas programs continue to provide a learning platform to a whole new generation of students dedicated to the Guiding Principles of Haas. With Dean Ann E. Harrison leading the School in her next term as Dean, and the recent election of former dean, Rich Lyons to the Chancellorship of the University of Berkeley, we have a great future in front of us.
The Power of Peer Forums
Peer forums have emerged as an important platform to address this feeling of isolation. Forums gather individuals who share similar levels of responsibility and leadership experience. Members are vetted to ensure there are no personal or business conflicts of interest. The Forum platform allows open and vulnerable conversations, where fresh perspectives are offered through experience sharing. The result is a circle of trusted colleagues who become your personal board of directors, offering guidance and support.
Confidentiality as a Key Tenet
Central to peer forums is the commitment to confidentiality. Only with this tenet firmly in place, can there develop trust among peers. And with trust, the Forum becomes a safe and confidential space where Leaders can discuss their challenges openly, knowing they can do so without judgment. This trust allows for honest and unfiltered conversations — a rarity in the world of leadership.
Diversity with Shared Values
The selection of members of Peer forums is critical to their success. The goal is to create a group of individuals, diverse in their gender and age, who come from various industries and backgrounds, each offering their unique viewpoints and experiences. Diversity increases the ability to challenge conventional thinking, provide novel solutions, and prevent insular decision-making. However, diversity only works when there is a common bond that is shared among participants. For the Haas Alumni Forums program, this bond is created through the Four Guiding Principles codified at the Berkeley Haas School of Business. These four tenets are: (1) Students Always; (2) Question the Status Quo; (3) Beyond Yourself; and (4) Confident but without Attitude.
- Students Always. Sharing in this principle means that everyone is eager to be constantly working on themselves for both professional and personal growth. The Forum platform allows each member to tap into the collective knowledge base and experience of peers. The rigor of the Forum agenda provides opportunities to gain new insights and perspectives that were not part of one’s original thinking in tackling new challenges. By leveraging the experiences and insights of others, each member continues on their own learning curve promoting personal and professional growth and development.
- Question the Status Quo. One unique benefit of peer forums is the ability to help address problems at their core instead of merely treating surface-level symptoms. Forums facilitate in-depth discussions that help to identify the underlying issues and discover solutions that go beyond the standard response. Forum discussions also open up one’s thinking to creative new ways to respond to an issue or challenge that questions the status quo.
- A Space to go Beyond Yourself. Membership in a peer forum is a reciprocal relationship. While you gain from the experiences and advice of others, you also freely contribute your own insights and mentorship as your responsibility to “pay it forward.” We all have our own privileges but it is how we use those privileges to give back to others that is the essence of Beyond Yourself. This shared value is foundational to the success of the Haas Alumni Forums program.
- Confident without Attitude. Peer forums are built on leaders who are confident in themselves and of the accomplishments and successes they have achieved. The Haas Alumni Forum program takes that one step further. Members respect each other’s level of achievement but also individually share in expressing those accomplishments with humility. It is without ego that members come together, truly invested in the emotional intelligence aspects of self-awareness and social-awareness that make Forum powerful.
The Haas Alumni Forums Experience
I have had the privilege of being part of and now responsible for directing the Haas Alumni Forums program. The community that has been created is one where kindred spirits come together to offer mutual support based on the foundational values from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business . This forum has proven invaluable. It is a place where you can openly discuss your professional and personal challenges, career goals and aspirations, gain fresh perspectives on ways to move forward, and form long-lasting connections with your peers. If you have been feeling alone at the helm of your organization, or in your career journey, it is worth considering the advantages of joining Forum. Discover the strength in a supportive community of your peers.
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About Haas Alumni Forums
Haas Leadership Forums are comprised of 8-12 alumni who meet monthly—currently online only—to gain perspective and insight on the challenging issues they face as business leaders.
Forums are confidential settings where open discussion can lead to transformational professional and personal growth.
Find more information about the program:
