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Photo: Scott DonaldFirst Hand Perspective

 

Ivey's Executive Development Programs are designed to have an immediate impact on participants, both in their current role and on their career development.

Scott Donald, recently promoted to the position of President and COO of Western Surety Company in Regina, Saskatchewan, attended the 3-week Ivey Executive Program in 2005. We recently had the opportunity to talk with him about his experience.

Q. Thinking back, do you think that the 3-week Ivey Executive Program you attended had an immediate impact on your job as soon as you returned to work and, if so, how?
A. Yes it did. First, I'd say that, as one of only two people from Saskatchewan there, I quickly realized that people from different parts of the country often approached a situation or problem from a different point of view than I would, simply because we come from different places. Secondly, the class was a broad cross-section of industries and professions not at all related to the Surety business and that added another layer of perspective to any given situation. I learned the value of broadening my perspective and seeing things from different viewpoints. That helped me analyze situations more fully once I got back to my job.
   
Q. Now, three years later, do you feel that it is still having an impact on your career?
A. Very much so. Attending Ivey boosted my confidence and ability to handle any challenge that might come my way.  Over the last three years, I've grown increasingly confident in being one of the people in the organization that can be counted on to handle any assignment, no matter how challenging it might be.
   
Q. Beyond your own personal experience, do you feel that the impact of your time at Ivey has permeated your organization in any way?
A. I think so. I mean, I've typically been a leader by example. So if people saw me doing things differently when I came back that would have been influenced by my time at Ivey and they followed that lead and started doing similar things in their jobs, then yes there has been an impact. And I think it's safe to say there is evidence of that.
   
Q.

Can you give an example of how Ivey challenged and changed your thinking? In other words, was there one thing you believed to be true before that you had a different perspective on after finishing the program and returning to work? And has it stuck with you in the three years that have past since?
A. I am an accountant and, prior to going to Ivey, I always viewed most situations from the numbers perspective. Ivey opened my eyes to the value of incorporating "non-numbers" perspectives into my analysis. The numbers are still very important, but I learned that there is more to most situations than meets my accountant's eye. And yes it has stuck with me.
   
Q.

At the time, how many other business schools did you consider before choosing Ivey and what was the deciding factor?
A. None actually. One of the shareholders of our company is an Ivey alumnus and he described the case study method and how it involves using real-life business scenarios and the "hands-on" approach to learning. In my view that's the best way to learn so that was the deciding factor for me. I did look at a few other schools just to be certain but, really, Ivey was the only place I wanted to go. And I'm glad I did because it was one of the best 3-week experiences of my life. The facility, the faculty, my classmates, it was just excellent.
   
Q.

Do you still keep in touch with your Ivey classmates and do those relationships still have an impact on you and your job?
A. Yes for sure. I met a lot of great people at Ivey and a small group of us have remained very close. We act as each other's sounding boards and discuss personal and professional issues to get a broader perspective. We try to shed a different light on any given situation or challenge one of us might be having. They are relationships I value a lot. We certainly talk about a group reunion and I know groups in Toronto get together. I'm hopeful that at some point in the future that I'll be able to schedule a business meeting in Toronto with one of those gatherings and attend. That would be nice.
   
Q.

Can you give me an example of a weakness you had that you feel was strengthened as a result of attending the Ivey Executive Program and, how that "improvement" has impacted your career since then.
A. I don't know if I'd call it a weakness but, prior to attending Ivey, I was uncertain about my strengths as a leader. However, because of my experience at Ivey, my confidence in my leadership abilities was greatly enhanced. At Ivey, I discovered that I could lead teams and have people follow because they want to, not because I'm their manager and they have to.
   
Q.

With the passage of time and benefit of the perspective that it brings, what would you say now is the single most important thing you learned at Ivey?
A. Generally, I learned that being a business leader requires a perspective broader than a perspective limited to the business you are in. Being part of a professional network from a wide variety of businesses is important and helps me do my job better. And I learned that my opinions and feedback are valuable to others in their unique professions as well.

In a more tangible way, I used the Ivey strategic planning process in a two-day strategic planning session where I outlined my long-term vision for the company.  Ultimately that presentation was a key factor in securing the position I have now.  In many ways, that is the single most important thing I learned at Ivey.
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