Danielle D'Agostaro

If general managers make the trains run, business leaders decide where to lay the track and why. During the last 250 years, the Industrial Revolution has changed civilization completely. Business is the engine of industrial life, and business leaders are in the driver's seat. They inspire the work of investors, general managers, rank and file team members, customers, suppliers, and even competitors. Our system depends on constant renewal of the ranks of business leaders. That's where you come… Show more

If general managers make the trains run, business leaders decide where to lay the track and why. During the last 250 years, the Industrial Revolution has changed civilization completely. Business is the engine of industrial life, and business leaders are in the driver's seat. They inspire the work of investors, general managers, rank and file team members, customers, suppliers, and even competitors. Our system depends on constant renewal of the ranks of business leaders. That's where you come in.

This class is based on a handful of ideas: business is a vocation; individual leaders matter; preparing for a challenge helps you meet it. Six skills matter above all others. Strategic thinking, product sense, persuasive communication, fluency with business math, ethical judgment, and grit are key qualities of successful business leadership. They help you convince other people to trust you with their most precious resources: time and money. Show less

Many of you -- the best and brightest of your generation -- are being shoved into leadership and management roles because you are great at your jobs, because your company is growing rapidly, or both. But most of you won’t go to business school to study general management. And you aren’t going to get long apprenticeships learning how to manage from a terrific boss. Thankfully, many people came before us and struggled with entrepreneurship and general management. Some of them left us interesting… Show more

Many of you -- the best and brightest of your generation -- are being shoved into leadership and management roles because you are great at your jobs, because your company is growing rapidly, or both. But most of you won’t go to business school to study general management. And you aren’t going to get long apprenticeships learning how to manage from a terrific boss. Thankfully, many people came before us and struggled with entrepreneurship and general management. Some of them left us interesting stories and ideas. That's what this class is about: we borrow lessons from the past to be better at our jobs today.

Using simulations, case studies, and group discussion we will tackle: Defining management; Setting objectives and measuring performance; Managing engineers and artists; Organization design; Executive communication. Show less

Attended community college while in high school and the semester before I began UC Berkeley.

I was co-salutatorian of my graduating class.