More Than Money: Questions Every MBA Needs to Answer: Redefining Risk and Reward for a Life of Purpose

Description

The author seems to be out of touch with the realities of today's MBA and everyday Americans. He fails to include that freedom to do what one wants costs a lot of money, which not everyone has. The author says we should look at our own core values OTHER than money to determine our career choices. We should not just stick to the cookie cutter post MBA jobs such as investment banking and consulting. Rather, we should focus on what is really important to us and try to get into a career that will allow us to serve others. Moreover, making such a choice early in life is important since it becomes more difficult later in one's career. The author seems to be removed from the financial realities of life in America. A very substantial portion of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. Even a top notch MBA grad will make an average of low six figures which will not make him or her "wealthy". If you combine the fact a two year MBA can cost well over $250K (tuition+lost wages) in investment, it isn't surprising many MBAs cannot pay off their student loans even after 10-20 years after their MBA. If you add everyday bills such as mortgage, raising children, and retirement, then making lot money is not merely greed, but a neccessity. Given the author's rather privileged background, it is easy to see why he lacks understanding of many of today's MBAs. The author says his family is full of big time lawyers, doctors, and CEOs. He seems to come from a rather wealthy family. The author has an MBA from Harvard and made a lot of money (probably several millions) from consulting and owning his business. Many of his examples are Harvard MBA grads who sometimes made hundreds of millions of dollars. It seems the author never had to struggle financially and always lived a financially stable life. No wonder he could easily walk away from his privileged life and do something he wants for far less money. He can afford to. As far as the fisherman in a Mexican small village story, I think the story is cute but not pratical. Did you know that medical problems are number one reason for personal bankruptcy in America? If you have no money, you could be happy, but you certainly may not be able to pay for basic neccessities, such as medical care, when you really need one. You don't want to end up poor and helpless? Then you better do something else than heed the author's advice such as do smalltime fishing in Mexico unless you are a multi-millionaire like the author.