IIM Ahmedabad alum sparks online debate on real-world challenges of MBA graduates

A graduate of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has stirred a discussion on LinkedIn after sharing her experience of transitioning from business school to the corporate world. Now the founder of Mumbai-based mentorship firm Mentoresult, the former global consulting professional reflected on how her prestigious MBA degree didn’t fully prepare her for the demands of real-world client interactions.

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Recalling her first presentation at a top consulting firm, she admitted freezing when asked to present a single, clear recommendation. Despite having prepared 15 detailed options, her senior simply wanted one actionable suggestion. The moment highlighted a gap between academic training and executive expectations—what she now calls the "executive filter."

She emphasized that while business schools focus on thorough analysis and broad perspectives, the corporate world often values clarity over complexity. The ability to distill vast information into a single, precise solution emerged as her most critical and challenging skill to develop.

Her reflection, posted on LinkedIn, struck a chord with many professionals from similar backgrounds. Respondents shared their own early career struggles with overexplaining and overwhelming clients with too many options, only to later learn that simplicity and focus are key in high-stakes decision-making environments.

The post has ignited a broader conversation about how B-schools might better prepare students to communicate effectively in real-world executive settings.