Akshay Rao - Values Statement

1. What did you come to SOM to accomplish?

i. Stretch the limits of what I'm capable of, with a bias towards action
ii. Learn from the experiences and expertise of others to be a better leader/ entrepreneur. I
believe making leaders of others is a great way to become a leader too. Thus, contributing to the
leadership journey of others.
iii. Increase the odds of success on my immediate chosen professional path (in Data/ machine
intelligence)

2. How does coming to SOM position you to achieve a career consistent with these values?

i. Experiential learning in a learning team allows me to test what I'm good at, ok at, bad at and
highlight gaps/opportunities for me to improve.
ii. It also provides a support system as I try to improve and challenge myself. As a corollary, it helps
me provide support to my team member's aspirations.
iii. An integrated learning experience at SOM, the classroom participation and stories of others
(gleaned in an academic or social setting)
iv. Rigor in curriculum for behavioral economics and finance is something that will help me bake in
human perspectives in data intelligence