Maria Puron, MBA ’14: The Difference Between a Good Leader and a Great One

Effective interactions with others lay the groundwork for managerial success.

March 22, 2014

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Maria Puran, MBA ’14 | ToniBird Photography

This series features our students’ reflections on their aspirations, learnings, challenges, and joys. Here, Maria explains how the nurturing environment at Stanford GSB helps develop people — a company’s most important assets.

My time at Stanford GSB has helped me understand the value of people for business. The conversations you have, the relationships you build, the trust you establish with people, and how you show yourself in moments of power will make the difference between a good and an excellent leader.

I firmly believe that every management issue that surfaces can be tackled effectively with a strong leadership team, especially middle management and executive leadership. I have also learned that a company’s most precious assets reside in its people and the culture it establishes with them.

Stanford GSB is an environment in which people feel comfortable, listened to, and cared for. I have learned that being in this kind of environment encourages and really challenges you to become the best version of yourself, always making improvements.

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