In this time of what seems like endless bad news, I wanted to share with you some good news – in the form of a significant “Teaching Moment” that occurred recently in my Leading Global Collaborations MBA unit.

The students have begun working virtually in their Global Teams, alongside students in six other countries, including the U.S.  During class, I asked them how it was going thus far.  A number of our students shared that they were really shocked by the degree to which students all over the world have responded with deep emotion (sadness, frustration, anger) to the U.S. election. During their team meetings, it has been the key topic of discussion.  Our Aussie students were struggling with how best respond to their peers.

What ensured in our class was a 45-minute impromptu, very candid, discussion of geopolitics, how it affects the workplace, and how global team leaders can best navigate these challenges.  I was incredibly proud of the sensitivity, sincerity, and depth of analysis that our students demonstrated. Controversial views were shared respectfully and openly. Ironically, a similar conversation ensued last year just after the Paris bombings when our students were working on teams alongside French students.   

At the break, numerous students approached me to say it was one of the best class discussions they have ever engaged in, and that they appreciated that we spent time addressing important world events. They remarked on how special an opportunity it is to work on global teams in the unit, and experience our global community on a different scale than just reading about it in the press.

So, this was a “Teaching Moment” that I will always remember.  I recall a similar feeling in teaching a class in the U.S., on the day that 9/11 occurred.  I was at University of Southern California at the time (which is located near down town Los Angeles), and although government offices in Los Angeles had been shut down due to safety concerns, the university made the controversial decision to remain open, with the express purpose of allowing students the opportunity to convene and share reactions.  I threw out the curriculum planned for my class, and the discussions that ensured were so rich and impactful, I will never forget that session.

These moments are reminder of the role we play in facilitating learning on a broader scale….and we should be proud of our MBA students, and their thoughtful consideration of our changing world!