Rewind: it’s (Mo)vember 2009 and we’re boarding a flight up to Calgary, AB enroute to Winnipeg, MB for the National Business School Conference. This was my first executive conference as I had missed WCLR last year. Not knowing what to expect, we arrive in Winnipeg during what was unusually warm weather for the Asper folks, yet uncomfortably cool relative to my west coast environment. 

Immediately, you could identify the serious briefcase-holding easterners, the casual west coasters and “the crazies” from the Maritimes. After a few discussions, you could start to see who the gatekeepers were and why you’d want them on your side.

After a day’s hard work, the NBSC organizing committee hosted various night events around the city. One night’s theme was “When I Grow Up,” which provided delegates a chance to dress in the outfit of the profession (or character) they wanted to be in their childhood. 

My roommate and I both happened to have the same aspirations in our youth apparently. We arrived at the bar only to find each other in an epic Maverick and Goose situation. I argue I was Maverick, while he did the same. (Clearly I was Maverick!). That roommate was then-VP Internal Connor McGauley from UBC. From that night forward, the idea of ”Connor & Connor: West Coast 2010” for CSS and CUS presidents was born. 

Over the next few weeks I contemplated running. For our school, running from president (or another executive position) in your graduating year means that you give up traveling to Europe on exchange with all of your friends and, if you still want to go on exchange (which 87% of UVic Business undergrads do) then you would have to extend your degree program one semester, which makes you not graduate with your class. It was a tough decision and a lot to give up, but after being convinced by a whole number of people, including myself, I knew it was the right decision.

From the election results being announced during midterm week to the end of spring break, a total of one week, my inbox had accumulated more than 150 messages all regarding my presidency. I wasn’t set to start until May 1st! 

This was my first learning experience of dealing with the exciting world of student government.

When I came into this role, I had delusions of grandeur; I was going to concur the world! I had plans of great proportion to make vast changes to our Faculty and to Canada’s business school landscape in general.

Quickly, I realized that would not be the case. I experienced diplomatic roadblock after diplomatic roadblock. Red tape was at my every turn. My predecessor, Russell, had always told me to “focus on a handful of goals, versus trying to accomplish everything, and do them right. If you’ve met your goals, it’s been a successful year and it’s time for someone else to give it a try.” Truer words have never been spoken.

After a few conversations or negotiations, you realize that divulging information was frowned upon. Speaking less became more. Knowledge is power and, if you give too much away, you have no leverage.

From our own faculty to the national stage, this game is all politics. It’s simply stakeholders jockeying for a position of power.

Having 11 other presidents who know are in the exact same situation is comforting at the very least. Another aspect that will help me hold things together is over the course of the next year is the strength of our incredible CSS team.

I will argue with any other business school to the point of having the best possible executive team!

My VP Internal complements my skillset nicely and compensates for some of my improvement areas. I am the “big picture” ideas guy that, sometimes, can be overly optimistic while he is analytical, process orientated and a realist who helps to ground me at times. My VP External is a long-time friend who has the uncanny ability to connect with people that he will use to form lasting relationships for our society. My VP Finance is an eager learner who has the organizational skills and maturity to be our numbers guru. My VP Corporate Relations exudes professionalism and is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve come across; her ambition and exceptional genuineness will no doubt drive her to excel. Finally, my EA is one of our most important assets and our lives would be in shambles without her.

If you asked me whether I’d do this again, the answer (today) would be “absolutely.” I’ve met some of my best friends and formed lasting relationships with a group of people I may have never had the chance to meet. The travel to conferences, meetings and seminars, while exhausting at times, is an opportunity to visit places I wouldn’t normally go (Winnipeg, MB; Windsor, ON) and share experiences I wouldn’t normally have.

Let’s see if that answer stays the same after 10 more months of this…