This week I taught a half-day workshop on Connection Cultures, employee engagement, leadership and teams to the graduating seniors of the MBA for Executives program at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business.  This is the second year I’ve taught at Darden.  After speaking last year, I wrote about my first impression of Darden in a blog post entitled “The Connected Class.”

This year, I had an opportunity to attend a reception and dinner with the class the evening before I spoke. Noticing that I was a newcomer, several students reached out to greet me and introduce me to others. In the few hours that I spent with the class, I estimated that I spoke with more than half of its 60 students. This is quite remarkable when you stop to think about it. Clearly, openness and hospitality are part of this class’ character.

I was touched by the toasts that were offered to Darden’s faculty (rated #1 among graduate schools of business), including Dean Robert Bruner, founding Associate Dean Marian Moore, current Associate Dean Paul Simko, program director Barbara Millar, the program’s wonderful staff, the classmates, and even University of Virginia’s founder Thomas Jefferson who designed the campus to encourage connection and community.

Near the end of the evening, as I observed student, faculty and staff interactions, my thoughts drifted to America’s Founders and their desire to nurture the bonds of affection among the fledgling country’s diverse citizenry. Like them, this community understands the importance of connection. It’s in its DNA.  And Darden is helping transmit this legacy of connection to present and future leaders.

 As I looked up at the ceiling of the Dome Room in the famous Rotunda designed by Thomas Jefferson, my eyes were drawn to a stunningly beautiful conical skylight that revealed the blue twilight sky above.  I imagined Jefferson peering down and smiling at the sight of these present and future leaders — a mosiac of diverse individuals, united in spirit, celebrating their journey together as part of this great university and optimistically looking forward to their future ahead.

I have the privilege of speaking at several of the world’s leading business schools. Darden is a special place for me.  It’s Jeffersonian lineage, its architectural beauty set amidst the verdant rolling hills of Virginia, and, most of all, the warmth, intelligence and vitality of its community, have me looking forward to my next visit.

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