Markus Trontti feels the Aalto MBA program has a holistic, international character. The studies are a challenge he set for himself. ”Leadership is my ambition, and I’m ready to invest in it.”
“The MBA program has taught me a great deal, especially about myself. Now I can see even more clearly that I’ll never be ready as a leader or employee. The MBA studies offer a good platform and foundation for self-development. For instance, I felt I was pretty sociable – a people person – but after the interviews with my colleagues and supervisors required in the personal development process I realized I had plenty of work to do in that area, too. Time has become increasingly pressured in recent years, and I haven’t had enough time to listen to people in those chance encounters along corridors. I try to get from a place and issue to the next too quickly. A leader needs to give time to others – speed and performance are not enough. These are some of the thoughts the Aalto MBA program has raised, and I aim to apply new practices to my daily life immediately.
I’m an engineer by education, but I’ve mainly worked in the commercial sector."
I’m an engineer by education, but I’ve mainly worked in the commercial sector. I’ve learned the commercial side by doing. Now I have the right training: I’m able to apply it better and I understand how business and leadership interconnect.
Before the MBA, I regretted not having a degree in economics, which after all is my passion. I thought about studying economic sciences, and I took some accounting and leadership courses in open university.
When I joined Philips, I met our new managing director, who had taken part in the MBA program. I decided to ask whether I could take part as well. He thought I would benefit from it, and we agreed that I’d start. I pay for the studies myself. This is my own investment in knowledge, skills and the future. I’m pretty sure many others would have spent the money on something else, but I see this as a personal investment that’s right for me. I’m motivated to keep learning and gain a higher education. Leadership is my ambition, and I’m ready to invest in it.
I have a wife and two young daughters. Joining the MBA program wasn’t just my own decision, but something we agreed with my wife."
I have a wife and two young daughters. Joining the MBA program wasn’t just my own decision, but something we agreed with my wife. The studies are time-consuming, which can be difficult at times: I remember trying to get my one-year-old, who was a poor sleeper, back to sleep with a book in the other hand… It was frustrating. But it has also taught me to manage my own time: how to find time for family, exercise, work and studies.
In addition to the MBA program content, I value the group dynamic. We are all very different, from different sectors and nationalities. Working on assignments together makes one see issues and angles that would have gone unnoticed otherwise.
The Aalto MBA program has a holistic approach, as if viewing the whole company or business potential from a balcony. It’s a big deal to see the whole and apply lessons learned from others to one’s own life.”
This story is part of the Aalto Executive Summit 2018 series. Other stories can be found below. Read more about Aalto EE's degree programs.