Quotes of the (school) year

My favorite nuggets of wisdom since starting B School

Since leaving the Navy at the end of last July, I’ve kept a special notebook that is reserved for panels, speaking events, seminars, round tables, interviews, and any other special occasion. Anyone who knows me well enough can recognize that little blue notebook. Here’s a collection of ten of my favorite quotes (not ranked in any way). It’s interesting to see what has stuck out for me.

1) “It’s not innovation unless it feels a little scary” — Elizabeth Glenewinkel, during MBA294 Innovation Lab

2) “Don’t confuse activities with progress” — Rob Chandra, career advice given during my last lecture of MBA295 Entrepreneurship

3) “Data wins negotiations” — Owen Van Natta, guest speaker during MBA295 Entrepreneurship

4) “ ‘Veteran’ is not a job category” — John O’Farrell, during a veteran’s transition workshop

5) “Mentoring is not the organization’s responsibility” — John Donahoe, fireside chat at a16z

6) “Shorten everything” (referring to all electronic communications) — Guy Kawasaki, guest speaker during Haas orientation week

7) “You can be right, or you can have a relationship” — Eric Abrams, guest speaker during Haas orientation week

8) “The greatest question in the world is ‘why?’ ” — Tricia Cervenan, informational interview

9) “China is THE strategic relationship” — Madeleine Albright, guest speaker at Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy

10) “The Supreme Court does not have the technological understanding to have a factual-based opinion in this era” (referring to online privacy issues)— Reed Hundt, guest speaker for Haas Politics and Policy Club