Michael Arlotto

How will you lead?

HBS has taught me many life lessons and given me a path to lead. I will lead knowing that I do not have all the answers. I will lead by staying true to my values but I will not be afraid to reexamine those values, recognizing that I will lead a dynamic life. I will lead with an open heart and an open mind.

HBS challenges me every day: I am pushed to review the ideas I accepted as truths and to consider new perspectives-and the need to fight for change. These experiences provide me a firm foundation with which to approach my leadership potential in both business and the community.

On preconceived notions about HBS

Prior to my arrival at HBS, I thought I would be studying in a very conservative, uptight environment. Because I am gay, I had been warned that HBS was not very accepting of gay and lesbian students. I am excited to say that they were wrong. HBS celebrates all forms of diversity-race, religion, creed, and sexuality. Classmates, faculty, staff, and administrators have been supportive of me and other gay and lesbian students on campus. For example, I am working with the Admissions Office to further develop HBS's outreach efforts to certain minority applicant groups including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The Admissions Office has been very supportive and we have developed a strategy to increase HBS's outreach to these potential applicants.

This support continues in class. On National Coming Out Day, my classmates wore stickers supporting the day and the cause, and they voiced their support for me. HBS is an accepting environment where a variety of ideas and views may be debated. This learning and acceptance bring this global community closer together.

On the efficacy of case-method learning

At first intimidating, the case method is an exciting way to learn. I walk into class each day with a certain view of the case and what strategy I believe the protagonist should take. But each class I am astonished by the views and opinions of my colleagues. Our debates are invigorating and they create an interactive learning environment unlike any I have ever known.

My experience with the HBS case method has taught me the importance of looking at issues from all perspectives in order to understand business problems and formulate creative solutions. The case-method has taught me that in life I will not usually be presented with 100 percent of the facts; I must instead make due with what information I have. These lessons will be key to my potential success as I move on in my career.