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A: The first step in being able to man- age others is to first be able to manage yourself. So using music can help stu- dents to better understand themselves. For example, during one class I ask students to bring to class a CD with a genre of music that best represents them. This helps them think more about who they are, which in turn helps them understand how to better manage themselves.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish by using this way of teaching?
A: That the students will leave my class thinking, "This is the best class I took at Virginia Tech," and that they better understand who they are and what management is about.
Q: Do you have a passion for music?
A: I would not say I have a pas- sion for music, but rather I have a passion for thinking of creative ways to illustrate the concepts I teach in class.
Q: Where did you get such an intense passion for teaching?
A: Good question. I'm not sure. But I think it comes from the responsibility I feel I have with teaching such a large class. You see I have the opportunity each week to impact 600 or more stu- dents. I don't want to waste this oppor- tunity. And the only way to connect is to attempt to raise the bar in terms of teaching methods. Virginia students deserve the best and it's my job to try to bring them the best in terms of teach- ing styles.
Q: How does business and music usually tie in together in your course?
A: It's not that business and music tie together, but rather that music ties into helping bring management topics to life.
Q: What possessed you to take on such a different teaching method?
A: I did not want to be a typical professor; I wanted to give my students something that they'd remember and benefit from years after they left my class and Virginia Tech.
Q: What is the one thing you would like your students to get out of taking your class?
A: Take chances, figure out who they are, and don't settle for less in terms of finding a job that does not seem like work. And most importantly, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. There are critics every- where who will try to sabotage you in terms of living your dreams and achieving your goals. Don't let them. Always remember the words from a recent Apple commercial, "Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do."
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