Why GCs should consider an MBA: insights and benefits
Pursuing an MBA can be a transformative experience for General Counsels (GCs) looking to broaden their horizons and enhance their careers. An MBA provides a comprehensive understanding of business operations, strategic decision-making and leadership skills that are invaluable in today’s dynamic corporate environment. Here are some key insights and benefits from Katherine Murray, a seasoned GC, on why an MBA might be the right choice for you.
Broadening your perspective
Katherine explains, „After years in corporate law, I realised I wanted to broaden my perspective beyond legal frameworks and into how businesses actually grow, operate, and make decisions. For me, the MBA was a way to understand the commercial and strategic dimensions that drive clients‘ decisions, not just react to them.“
For many GCs, the legal profession can sometimes feel narrowly focused on risk mitigation and compliance. An MBA offers the opportunity to step outside these confines and gain a holistic view of business operations. This broader perspective is crucial for GCs who aspire to be more than just legal advisors but strategic partners in their organisations.
An opportunity to steer a career path
„The MBA helped me reposition from being a lawyer who ‚understands business‘ to a genuine strategic advisor. Since my MBA, I have co-founded a company and worked in tough commercial roles where I owned the P&L. I’ve been the first legal hire and the first hire for a company in a new region and built teams from scratch. I don’t think I could have done these roles as effectively without the toolkit from my MBA,“ Katherine reflects.
While the MBA journey comes with its challenges, Katherine believes the rewards far outweigh them. „There were certainly trade-offs — stepping away from a well-established legal career path isn’t without risk, and felt daunting after years in a law firm. For a while, I felt in-between two worlds — no longer just a lawyer, not yet a businessperson. But over time, as my career developed, that blend became a strength. I now sit comfortably at the intersection of legal, strategy, and leadership.“
The ability to navigate complex commercial roles and build teams from scratch is a testament to the transformative power of an MBA. Those who pursue it can expect to develop a versatile skill set that enables them to take on leadership roles and drive strategic initiatives within their organisations. The blend of legal expertise and business acumen positions them uniquely to contribute to their company’s success.
Adopting a strategic approach
Katherine highlights how the MBA changed her approach to law. „It’s made me much more pragmatic and outcome-focused. Before my MBA, I would focus on identifying legal risk and delivering technically sound advice. Post-MBA, I approach problems through a more strategic and commercial lens. You start by asking ‚what is the business trying to achieve‘ and work back to shape the solutions that will achieve those goals. It’s a fundamental shift in approach.“
This shift from a purely legal perspective to a strategic and commercial mindset is invaluable for those looking for a new challenge. By understanding the broader business objectives, GCs can provide more effective and integrated results that align with the company’s goals. In turn, they enhance their value within the organisation as well as foster stronger collaboration with other departments.
The impact of networking
„The diversity of perspectives in an MBA cohort is powerful—you’re surrounded by people from entirely different industries and backgrounds. I’ve ended up working in high-tech fields such as digital assets largely because I got exposed to engineers, entrepreneurs and Bay Area executives during my MBA. That network not only opened doors professionally, but also built my confidence in navigating new areas,“ Katherine notes.
Networking is a cornerstone of the MBA experience. The connections made during the programme can open doors to new opportunities and provide access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise. For GCs, building a diverse network is crucial for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape. These relationships can lead to collaborations, mentorship, and insights that are instrumental in driving career growth.
Consider the long-term ROI
Managing the costs of an MBA can be challenging, but Katherine offers practical advice. „There are some very good part-time and executive programmes which allow you to study while working and many employers will help with the cost. There are also a lot of scholarships out there – I was lucky enough to get a scholarship which helped hugely with the cost. I think the key is to do your research, as there are more options out there than you might expect!“
It’s also worth considering the long-term ROI. „You have to treat it as a long-term investment. For most people, it’s an investment that pays out a few years down the line, both in terms of career growth and broader opportunities. Looking at my MBA cohort, it was really the second or third role post-MBA where that wider skillset began to pay dividends and at that point our careers began to accelerate more rapidly than might have been possible without the MBA.“
Investing in an MBA requires careful consideration of the costs and potential returns, so it’s worth exploring various programmes and funding options to find the best fit. By treating it as a strategic investment, GCs can position themselves for sustained success and growth.
For Katherine, it’s clear that her MBA was worth it. „The MBA gave me the confidence and capability to step into roles I wouldn’t have considered before – not just as a legal expert, but as a leader and operator. It’s allowed me to build a career that’s more dynamic and impactful than I could have imagined staying purely on the legal track. It was a big decision, but it fundamentally changed what I thought was possible for my career.“
