Controversial Take? đź‘€ #mba #businessschool #entrepreneur

Alliance Manchester Business School
Alliance Manchester Business School•Mar 24, 2026

Why It Matters

Understanding that balance is a myth forces founders to allocate limited time strategically, boosting both personal resilience and venture growth through team trust and continuous learning.

Key Takeaways

  • •Balance is unattainable; prioritize focused effort over multitasking.
  • •Effective leadership hinges on trusting and building reliable teams.
  • •Continuous skill development is essential for venture sustainability.
  • •Reflective exercises, like MBA case studies, sharpen perspective.
  • •Saying yes to learning means strategically saying no to distractions.

Summary

The speaker challenges the conventional notion of work‑life balance, arguing that it is a myth and that entrepreneurs must choose focused effort over trying to juggle everything simultaneously. He frames this perspective within his experience as a venture founder and MBA student, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in trusting a capable team and continuously investing in personal skill gaps.

Key insights include the finite nature of time, the necessity of saying "yes" to learning opportunities while deliberately saying "no" to less‑critical tasks, and the value of structured reflection—exemplified by the MBA’s social‑impact presentations—to gain clearer strategic perspective. He stresses that neglecting personal development erodes the value of any time spent on the business.

Notable remarks such as "Balance is a myth," "Time is finite," and "Reflection is a good exercise" illustrate his shift from skepticism to appreciation for reflective practices. He recounts how the MBA’s reflective components, initially puzzling, became a catalyst for deeper self‑assessment and better decision‑making.

For entrepreneurs and business leaders, the takeaway is clear: prioritize building a trustworthy team, allocate dedicated time for skill acquisition, and embed reflective routines into daily workflows. These actions not only enhance venture performance but also safeguard personal sustainability in high‑growth environments.

Original Description

"Time is finite. The things you say yes to mean saying no to something else.”
On Manchester MBA Voices, Gloria Cherono shares why she made the difficult decision to step away from her venture and fully commit to a Full-time MBA.
Because sometimes, the greatest opportunity cost isn’t leaving your business – it’s not investing in yourself as a leader.
Search 'Manchester MBA Voices' wherever you get your podcasts, or click the link in bio for the full episode.

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