OCTOBER 7, 2014

The running partner relationship is just one of the many things that sets Acton apart from other MBA programs.

All Acton students have a running partner—a fellow classmate who stands beside you in the heat of battle. It can be tough to hold yourself accountable for your actions, especially when you’re struggling and on the brink of giving up—that’s where your running partner comes in. People tend to push themselves further if they know someone is watching out for them. A running partner will help you keep going, even when the last leg of the race is straight uphill, and your fuel gauge is low. T

his is true not just at Acton, but even more so when you’re out in the world, building a business, pushing against barriers that seem insurmountable.

Running partners:

• Hold you accountable to the commitments you’ve made to yourself, your classmates, your future employees, and the other important stakeholders in business and life.
• They’re your first line of defense in tackling the big (and small) questions you face on a daily basis. Little things like “I can’t get this formula to work” to big things like “I don’t know what kind of company I want to run,” your running partner is the first person you turn to.
• They’ll speak honestly. They’ll call you out for slacking off, and they’ll tell you when you need to push harder.
• They’ll praise your successes and mourn your failures right along with you. They’ll help you get through the moments where you’re questioning your life’s trajectory and wondering whether or not you’ve taken the right path.

And perhaps most importantly, a running partner will be a friend—a friend we hope you’ll keep long after your time at Acton is over.

The running partner relationship is just one of the many things that sets Acton apart from other MBA programs. Entrepreneurship has never been about going it alone. The most successful entrepreneurs build strong networks around themselves with people whom they can trust and call on for future advice.

Want to learn more about Acton? We’d love to hear from you so feel free to contact us directly!