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> “I think there might be too many M.B.A.s running companies,” the Tesla Inc. chief executive said. “There should be more focus on the product or service itself

> “I think there might be too many M.B.A.s running companies,” the Tesla Inc. chief executive said. “There should be more focus on the product or service itself, less time on board meetings, less time on financials.” > Many business-school leaders shot back, saying that Mr. Musk’s comments don’t match the reality of what is taught in M.B.A. programs and that more students than ever who are pursuing the graduate degree are interested in entrepreneurship and tech rather than Wall Street. That last part seems perfectly tone deaf. "What do you mean, too much time focused on financials? We took jobs outside the finance industry! Isn't that enough?"

aetiusflavius 6y ago
> We took jobs outside the finance industry! Yup, that's exactly the problem
munchbunny 6y ago
I think that's being uncharitable to "business-school leaders". Ignoring the people who are going to business school for a two year vacation, which a lot of M.B.A.s do, there's a growing contingent of people who are going in with technical skills and experience. I think business schools deserve some credit for that. There are still plenty of people from non-technical backgrounds hoping to be your traditional M.B.A.s, but the culture is shifting in the right (IMO) direction.
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lock-free 6y ago
It's less than tone deaf, it's plain ignorant. As much as I find Musk's unabashed ego distasteful, he has actually built companies and hired thousands of people. Musk is a doer - and you know the old saying about "those who can't do, teach." So if we're appealing to authority, I'll take Musk's over "business-school leaders." Side note: I've rarely met a top b-school grad who could say they valued much taught during their MBA (aside from statistics). The consensus is usually that it's a great networking opportunity.
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zamalek 6y ago
Who in their right mind would trust the opinion of school leaders so far as the value of schools is concerned? Yet we routinely do.

aetiusflavius 6y ago

> We took jobs outside the finance industry! Yup, that's exactly the problem

munchbunny 6y ago

I think that's being uncharitable to "business-school leaders". Ignoring the people who are going to business school for a two year vacation, which a lot of M.B.A.s do, there's a growing contingent of people who are going in with technical skills and experience. I think business schools deserve some credit for that. There are still plenty of people from non-technical backgrounds hoping to be your traditional M.B.A.s, but the culture is shifting in the right (IMO) direction.

deleted 6y ago
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lock-free 6y ago

It's less than tone deaf, it's plain ignorant. As much as I find Musk's unabashed ego distasteful, he has actually built companies and hired thousands of people. Musk is a doer - and you know the old saying about "those who can't do, teach." So if we're appealing to authority, I'll take Musk's over "business-school leaders." Side note: I've rarely met a top b-school grad who could say they valued much taught during their MBA (aside from statistics). The consensus is usually that it's a great networking opportunity.

deleted 6y ago
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zamalek 6y ago

Who in their right mind would trust the opinion of school leaders so far as the value of schools is concerned? Yet we routinely do.