A Year of Heartfelt Connections and Transformative Experiences at CIMBA

Several days ago, the CIMBA staff approached me and asked if I would be willing to write an “end of the year” summary. They have a way about themselves that makes it very difficult (I would honestly say impossible) to say no. In thinking about what to say in that summary, I realized it would be easy to reflect upon the remarkable group of students at all levels we have enjoyed over this past year. With COVID concerns fading but then quickly replaced with Ukrainian war, visa, and multiple other issues, this full time MBA class will always be a special one. I readily admit to walking by and peeking into the conference room out of habit yesterday to see who was still studying, only to find myself disappointed (and a bit saddened) upon realizing they had all moved on to bigger things in their lives. The Executive Certificate students have never been so curious, and they easily define why so many professors specifically request to have an opportunity to teach them. The part time MBA students continue to add a particular richness to the MBA program, with many of them bringing experiences to the classroom that encompass seemingly every corner of the globe. We are so blessed at CIMBA to have the ability to mix full-time and part-time students MBA together. It creates a remarkably dynamic shared learning environment that I have never experienced elsewhere. Our undergraduate students bring with them a particular curiosity, with more and more of them beginning to find the value in taking time to explore important questions like “Who am I?” and “Where am I going?” thereby moving themselves meaningfully and purposefully beyond the confines of traditional ‘book’ learning. Something tells me that is a more secure road to long-term happiness and life satisfaction. Increasingly, and particularly so after COVID, I find myself optimistic about how they are going to impact the world.

But to some extent much of that could be said about past years at CIMBA as well. With that thought in mind, I began to reflect upon events and people who made this year particularly unique. My motivation for taking this tact arose out of my experience at the last LIFE program of this academic year in Treviso. One of the most touching events within the LIFE Graduation Ceremony is always the Star of Change. For many of us who regularly go to LIFE Graduations to be recharged, the Star of Change award is always a real gift of inspiration, which makes the entire experience a true joy. The recipient is always surprised and pleased by the award – perhaps, at least, until they realize they have to once again give another speech.

But this particular LIFE Star of Change recipient delivered an exceptional speech that caused many of us to step back and take a second look, a profound look, at how we saw ourselves going forward from that day. He made reference to the ‘Dash’ poem, and for those of you who are unfamiliar with it I would suggestion taking LIFE to fully appreciate it in context. The ‘Dash’ poem refers to the actual dash on your tombstone, the dash (‘–‘) that sits between the day you were born and the day you die. It is a metaphor for how you lived your life. In his speech, he talked about the fact that much of his ‘dash’ had already been used up and that he intended to make the best possible use of that part of his ‘dash’ that still remained. I cannot imagine better advice. Regardless of how far along you believe you are in your ‘dash’, it really makes good sense to sit back and make a conscious decision on how to make the very best of whatever is left of it. Against the CIMBA mantra, Be Your Best, I think it attaches itself in a very profound way.

The other thing that was particularly impactful for me this year were the sheer number of comments made by differing people about their CIMBA experiences. The most common was ‘life changing.’ Their experiences came from all aspects of the programs, workshops, and other personal growth and development opportunities we offer in working to make a difference in the lives of others. As I reflected, I realized how easy it was to look at CIMBA as being a “thing,” something tangible, a place, something you can touch. But in reality, it is far less of a thing, but rather something more deeply intangible, far more of a feeling, an emotion, a true sense of mental well-being. So, in reflection, I asked myself from where does that intangible aspect of CIMBA arise, and arise every single day? What is its foundation, its true bedrock? From where does it draw its inspiration and vitality? For me, it was obvious:

It comes from CIMBA’s truly remarkable staff.

Behind the scenes, behind the desks, chairs, books, posters, technology, and other tangible materials, beats a highly genuinely empathetic heart. I have observed them laugh with you, cry with you, struggle with you, support you, encourage you, and at every such turn I saw them want the very best for you. In this context, put in mind the CIMBA mantra I referred to earlier: Be Your Best. It is not Be My Best, it is Be Your Best. That is their goal every single day (and for that staff member who has the responsibility to carry the emergency phone, every night as well). So, what have they taught me nearly every single one of those precious days we have shared together? The lessons are the very same intangibles every CIMBA participant learns and understands from engaging with this remarkable, dedicated staff as they travel their CIMBA personal development journey:

• You cannot foster resilience in others without a heart.
• You cannot guide someone through their fears without a heart.
• You cannot inspire confidence and courage without a heart.
• You cannot truly listen to someone’s struggles without a heart.
• You cannot provide meaningful support without a heart.
• You cannot understand another’s dreams without a heart.
• You cannot help someone overcome obstacles without a heart.
• You cannot encourage growth and learning without a heart.
• You cannot navigate someone through change without a heart.
• You cannot help unveil someone’s true potential without a heart.
• You cannot connect deeply with someone’s aspirations without a heart.
• You cannot offer solace in times of doubt without a heart.
• You cannot share in someone’s successes and setbacks without a heart.
• You cannot encourage perseverance amidst challenges without a heart.
• You cannot ignite passion for lifelong learning without a heart.
• You cannot build trust and openness without a heart.
• You cannot appreciate the unique paths of individuals without a heart.
• You cannot engage with genuine kindness and concern without a heart.

At the heart, at the very heart, of the CIMBA organization is a team whose compassion and dedication weave the rich fabric of a very unique family. Each staff member contributes distinctive strands of empathy, support, guidance, and understanding, crafting a rich tapestry of trust and togetherness. It is their ability to genuinely connect with a student’s fears and aspirations that transforms our workspace into a nurturing home away from home. Importantly, the strength of the CIMBA family does not stem from technical skills – axioms, formulas, theorems, and principes — but rather from the heartfelt interactions and an unwavering commitment to personal development and mutual respect that our staff embodies daily. While we do inform, the goal is to transform.

But this family feeling does not end with the staff; it extends warmly to include every student, professor, trainer, facilitator, and coach who experiences the CIMBA journey. I would further argue that it also embraces those who are then touched any person who exits this experience, whether in the home, at work, among friends, or in the community – and they very likely do not realize it. As our students immerse themselves in this unique learning environment, they absorb the passion, energy, and particularly the heart that permeates every aspect of CIMBA. They are not just participants but active family members, contributing to and thriving in an atmosphere that celebrates personal growth and success together – with that success defined as making an important difference in the lives of others. This year, the echoes of pride and satisfaction from the staff, students, and others in being part of the CIMBA family have been overwhelmingly gratifying for me. Our collective spirit and dedication have fostered an unprecedented sense of unity and achievement, making every moment spent at CIMBA truly transformative.

Have a great summer!

— Dr. Al H. Rigleb