MBA Final Quarter Blues

It is really hard for an MBA to stay focused and motivated during final quarter. Generally, finding that new job takes precedence over class work. Even once you find a job, you get a whole new set of distractions: preparing new employment paperwork, background checks, drug tests, preparing for the new job, and finding a new apartment (that may be in a new city). Additionally, as you think about your new career you come to the realization that right now may be the last time for awhile that you will have some flexible time to enjoy life. So, class work gets further pushed down the priority ladder.

I think you need to keep that in perspective when you look at your final quarter group experiences. It is incredibly difficult to be part of a team where one, two, all members are not motivated and/or distracted. In that situation you need to set your expectations low to avoid frustration. While it is great to have the team commit to a group goal, it is very hard for MBAs to admit that they will likely do the minimum or less on this project. So you will end up with everyone saying they will do their best, but their actions will reveal their other priorities. So, the message is even when group goals are set, adjust your expectations downward to reflect the realities of MBA final quarter.

Now you may wonder if there is an Org.Behavior lesson on how to manage a team in this situation? And I think there is, but it is not a pretty answer. If you have an unmotivated and/or distracted team, there will be little you can do unless you can find their motivation and eliminate their distractions. In this situation, you can't eliminate an MBA's life distractions; and motivation really depends on the individual - how interested they are in the project versus other things they could be doing.