The times, they are a changin'.

AuthorRock, Robert H.
PositionLETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

I RECENTLY ADDRESSED a group of undergraduates at a world-renowned university. The classroom was packed with young people eager to hear from the publisher of DIRECTORS & BOARDS about "what really goes on in Donald Trump's boardroom," as one student put it. By the nature of their questions, the students seemed to hold directors and CEOs in high regard.

I was a bit surprised by their positive impressions of business and favorable image of businessmen, and I was struck by how different "the times" are from when I was an undergraduate.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In the spring of 1972, I was a senior at Harvard College pondering my future. At that time, institutions in general and business institutions in particular were held in very low esteem by nearly all students. When I decided to "go across the river" to attend Harvard Business School, my classmates thought I was "selling out," in the expression of the day. My father felt it necessary to write me a letter supporting my decision: "You will find that when you tell people that you are going to the B School that only the very few knowledgeable will respect you in your choice. Most people will say 'Why didn't you go to medical school' or 'Why didn't you go to law school' or 'Why didn't you become a dentist'--those are usually the jobs of prestige ... If you need external trappings, reinforced accolades, packaged prestige, choose something else; but if you are self-confident, well-disciplined, persuasive mentally as well as in action, it is an exciting life even if it is an uncertain one."

The times then were very different. I was...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT