The ridiculously formal way MBAs learn the casual art of conversation

29 January 2014

1 minute read

The ridiculously formal way MBAs learn the casual art of conversation

Conversation is supposed to be more art than science, but it seems the future kings of industry aren’t taking any chances. The below worksheet is handed out to MBA students by one of the top business schools in the U.S. It’s essentially an algorithm designed to help Wall Streeters and business school grads concoct pre-meditated points of conversation and anecdotes about themselves that would appear impressive at corporate dinners and cocktail parties.

Apparently they have a strategy for everything.

Vignette1 Vignitte-table

AUTHORBeecher Tuttle

US Editor

3 comments

Da
DaveH
2 February 2014
This actually looks like a good way to scope out some topics for a presentation or a conference, maybe even as the main things you want to have conversations about with other people at a party, especially under the glut of information in our society.
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Do
Doubtful
30 January 2014
Anyone smart would see right through someone who tried this. I would think them a bore, and would move on to find more interesting conversation at the earliest opportunity.
Better to read Dale Carnegie than follow this. The quality I find most attractive is the ability to listen. If you are waiting for your opportunity to speak, you are definitely not listening.
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MB
MBA-Exchange.com
29 January 2014
I like it!
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