LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Q & A 28 | HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
Dr. Nido Qubein has led an impressive career as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, business leader, consultant to CEOs, member and chair of several boards, and president of High Point University, where he has led a total transformation. Global leaders are attracted to the campus and culture established under Qubein’s leadership, which has resulted in a robust and impressive Access to Innovators Program that brings industry titans to campus, including the co-founders of Apple and Netflix, to connect with students. When these leaders visit, Qubein often interviews them in front of a live audience, offering the ultimate master classes in leadership and life skills that students won’t find elsewhere. Here are a few excerpts from these interviews, provided in Q&A format and edited for clarity and brevity.
Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence Qubein: Mr. Randolph, you have helped build the world’s most successful streaming service, but your idea was first formed many years ago and took much perseverance to bring to reality. How can students get started on their entrepreneurial journey when all they may have is an idea or a dream? Randolph: Do something, and do it now. That’s what I always tell people. Do something while you’re in school. Do something this summer. Don’t just tell yourself, “I need to prepare myself and then I’ll do it once I get there,” or “I’ll do it once I get my MBA.” Do something now, because now is when you can begin developing the practice of trying something, failing, trying it again and failing. And each time, you get a bit stronger. Start now, do small things, fail at those and you’ll get smarter.