Tails of the AGSM
Photo credit: Provided by author
By Peter Sahui
MBA, 2017
Peter worked as an investment research analyst for eight
years, covering a wide range of ASX-listed companies,
before undertaking his MBA. At AGSM, he found the
opportunity to get involved with the inspiring, exciting world
of startups. He loves writing, travel, and photography.
Three friends prepared to graduate from the
Animals’ Graduate School of Mastery.
From the depths of the sea came Seal: the
fastest swimmer, the deepest diver, the first to
find fish, until one day there were no more fish.
From the jungle came Peacock: colourful
and glamorous and itching to use his talents
for a better cause. And from the plains came
Lioness, eager to prepare for the day when she
would run her own pride.
They assembled, ready for their final exams.
They lifted their heads as their teacher, Polar
Bear, spoke.
“Your first test is Regression. Over there, you
will find cases of beer. Go fetch them.”
Beer? Whole cases of beer? For a student?
How hard could that be? Seal set off, a broad,
confident smile on his face. He took a big step
forward. Then another step. Then another step.
And as he did, he realised that he was covering
less and less ground with each step! He was
8
AGSM
shrinking … regressing to childhood … to the
days when he was a helpless pup …
Seal flailed, and a voice roared in his ear. “I
am Lioness!” thundered his friend. “Queen of
the savannah! You are Seal, fastest amongst
swimmers! Remember that! Go!” The spell was
broken. Seal looked down at his flippers - still
the same size. He would conquer his doubts.
He would! And he did, bounding forward once
more.
Polar Bear awaited them alongside the beer,
smiling benignly. “Next, you must climb the
Three Horizons.”
The Three Horizons stretched out before
Seal: three hills each steeper than the last,
littered with flat-pack furniture and fashionable
handbags. Gentle and easy, the first hill was a
relief. Seal comfortably crested it, only to grit
his teeth when he saw the second hill.
The second hill taxed his resilience. Seal
stumbled from rock to rock and ledge to ledge;
once, he tripped over a half-assembled chair
and almost fell off. He was panting by the time
he made it to the top.
The final hill was worst of all. Seal stared up,
and up, and up. He was a seal! Not a monkey!
How was he meant to climb that?