Things We Ponder - Dec 2023
Where I recap the 1st semester of business school
Hello Friends! Welcome back to Things We Ponder, my quarterly newsletter about what is going on in my life and my thoughts on a random assortment of topics.
First, some updates since my last post:
The First Semester of Business School is in the books!!!
As soon as I hit submit my last paper, I will officially finish the first semester of business school experience at Wharton!!!
It was a semester of growth and adjustment as I found myself in a new environment. During the semester, I had some truly epic moments. I got to travel to South America (twice), try out a new sport (hockey), and learn some new concepts in class (I do go to school, I promise).
Trip to Atacama: The highlight of the semester was my trip to San Pedro De Atacama in October. This trip was a Wharton Leadership Venture where we developed, practiced, and honed leadership skills outdoors. This trip was in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest deserts in the world. It is also at altitude, which increases the challenge of hiking as you are not just contending with the hot arid weather but also with the altitude, which started for us around 8,000 ft above sea level in San Pedro De Atacama. I reached a height of ~14,000 ft above sea level, which is on par with Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States. During the trip, I got to practice leading a team to accomplish the goals of that day (mostly navigating and making sure we reached the next camp on time). I learned the importance of morale and how morale impacts a team and can drag or improve efficiency based on its status. I also learned that for the group’s good, sometimes you must give up and acknowledge your inability to continue. I had to stop my descent up our final mountain as the effects of altitude sickness got to me. This was difficult as I wanted to reach the top with my team but realized my situation was holding them back. While I didn’t summit with my team, I am grateful for the opportunity to reach as high as I did with the most fantastic team, the Climbing Chinchillas.
The Climbing Chinchillas as we left camp
Playing Hockey: I started playing hockey this semester and am on the JAGR Bombs!!! The Best team in the WHL (Wharton Hockey League). Playing a new sport has been such a stretch experience. However, the JAGRs have made this a delightful adventure, and I look forward to the day when I learn to stop on the Ice!
Book Thoughts
Between traveling to Atacama, playing hockey, going to school, and recruiting, I got the opportunity to read a couple of books. The one I found most intriguing this quarter was Barbarians at The Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco by Bryan Burrough and John Heylar. This was a genuinely fascinating read about what, at that time, was the largest leveraged buyout (LBO) completed. It is more a study of characters, motivations, and machinations than a book about the intricacies of the LBO as a financial tool. I enjoyed reading how even people who are expected to act rationally and without emotion can succumb to making decisions based on their emotions and feelings about the various people around them.
The book chronicles the RJR Nabisco buyout, and it is fascinating to read about the people involved and, with the benefit of some hindsight, see what they would become. This is most salient with Henry Kravis, a significant figure in the saga. It is fascinating to read the description of Henry Kravis in the 1980s and compare it to the figure he currently is.
If you have any good book recommendations, please leave them here. I am looking to read new types of books!
Looking Forward
2023 has been a hectic year with many changes in my life. As the year draws to a close, I am taking time to reflect on the year and plan for the upcoming year. I encourage you to take time this holiday season to express gratitude to those who supported you throughout the year.
I look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Please share with friends.
If you have questions or comments, please get in touch with me at ojimaagada@substack.com.
Sincerely,
Ojima S. Agada