The 5 Biggest Lessons From My MBA (And They're Not What You'd Expect)

The Position Papers (3/3) | Favourite Positions PodcastWhat if the most valuable lessons from business school aren’t the frameworks you learn, but the assumptions they quietly dismantle?In this final episode of The Position Papers mini-series, Alexandra Young reflects on five core MBA subjects — finance, macroeconomics, marketing, innovation and strategy — and the perspective shifts each one created in her day-to-day leadership. Rather than theory, this episode explores how concepts like opportunity cost, behavioural decision-making, external forces and organisational readiness change how we diagnose problems, make commitments and lead change at work.Across five short stories, this episode reframes common career instincts — saying yes, pushing ideas, attributing outcomes, staying in motion — and offers practical ways to think more strategically in complex environments.In this episodeOpportunity cost and the hidden trade-offs behind every yesHow external conditions shape performance outcomesWhy human decisions are rarely rationalThe role of organisational readiness in innovationStrategy as focus, commitment and translation into actionResearch referencedFrederick, Novemsky, Wang, Dhar & Nowlis (2009). Opportunity Cost Neglect. Journal of Consumer Research.Shows people make poorer decisions when opportunity costs are not made explicit.Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow.Foundational research demonstrating systematic biases and non-rational decision-making.Thaler, R. & Sunstein, C. (2008). Nudge.Evidence that defaults and choice architecture strongly influence behaviour.BCG (2024). Most Innovative Companies Report.Found 83% of firms rank innovation as a priority, but only 3% are ready to deliver.Case literature on organisational readiness and timing (e.g., technology adoption cycles).Shows innovation success depends on environmental and organisational conditions.About The Position PapersThe Position Papers is a three-part Favourite Positions mini-series on business school, confidence and growth, recorded during Alex’s MBA alongside full-time leadership. Each episode explores how ambition, identity and modern work intersect in practice.ConnectIf this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it!You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn and follow Favourite Positions on Instagram for future episodes and resources.Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.