by Steve Terusaki, MBA 89, Haas Alumni Forums Director
T here are few places where conversations that matter most can be held. Think of a time when you were troubled with an issue be it business or personal. Did you have anyone you felt comfortable enough to talk with? Who was there to listen without judgment? Who could be trusted to keep the discussion confidential? In our busy and hectic lives where can you find not just one, but a group of trusted confidants?
For alumni of the Berkeley Haas School of Business and those who share a UC Berkeley affiliation, the Haas Alumni Forums program has been organized and designed to specifically answer that need. The Program is a unique platform that promotes connection and engagement with the Haas Alumni community that goes beyond the cohort relationships developed during the student experience. The Program leverages the expertise and experiences of all those who share the Berkeley experience, an enormous pool of successful individuals. It is the reason that the Forum experience is so powerful. The diversity across industries, gender, culture and age offers an untapped resource to fellow alumni and Forum members. Members bring their personal narratives to the Forum discussion offering lessons-learned that open new perspectives and new ways to address current challenges faced by fellow members.
Beyond the perspective-sharing aspect of Forum, the relationships that develop extend well beyond Forum. Members often create community with family and friends; become referral sources to potential partners and allied professionals and offer resources that may ignite one’s career journey or new business endeavor. The spirit of “Beyond Yourself” comes alive as Forum members willingly offer their time, insights and networks to help others succeed.
The success of the Haas Alumni Forum experience is the direct result of the rigor and attention paid to the following principles:
Confidentiality
Confidentiality serves as the cornerstone of trust within the Haas Alumni Forums. Members can share their experiences, challenges, and ideas with the confidence that their privacy will be respected. By upholding strict guidelines on confidentiality that fosters a culture of trust, the Forums enable members to engage in candid discussions and forge genuine connections based on mutual respect and understanding.
A Safe Haven for Authentic Connections
The commitment to confidentiality within the Haas Alumni Forums creates a safe haven for conversations that matter most. Knowing that interactions and conversations are confidential, members are empowered to engage in honest and meaningful exchanges.
The trust that is built enables members to share personal narratives that are typically not shared elsewhere. These personal stories support a “giving” culture of shared lessons-learned that connect and bond members.
The Safe Haven further promotes long-term relationships that extend beyond surface-level networking allowing authentic connections to flourish.
Embracing Vulnerability
By building a “brave space” supported by a culture of respect, non-judgment and confidentiality, the Haas Alumni Forums programs allow members to feel comfortable to open-up and be vulnerable.
Members share openly about their struggles, failures, and insecurities, knowing that they are among a community that values empathy and support.
This environment allows for conversations that matter most – conversations that can’t be held anywhere else.
Continual Learning and Growth
The principle of “students always” is foundational to the Haas Alumni Forums. Members are selected based on their commitment to personal and professional growth.
The Forum agenda and Forum discussions are designed for self-reflection, opening up windows of exploration that may have previously been shut tight, and the sharing of experience and knowledge for the benefit of all members.
Forum fosters an environment of continuous learning and growth, where individuals feel comfortable exploring new ideas and perspectives without the fear of judgment or privacy breaches.
If you are seeking to find a group of individuals who you can have conversations with about what matters most in your life, please “like” this post and share to your colleagues.
You can also find more information about the Haas Alumni Forum program by clicking here.
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:
