Leland+ Content Library

5 Common MBA Application Weaknesses and How to Overcome Them [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you worried about potential weaknesses in your MBA application? Join me as we identify and, more importantly, talk about how to overcome common MBA application weaknesses. Having worked through a couple of these myself to earn admission into multiple M7 programs, I look forward to helping you maximize your chances of admission at M7s and beyond.

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [7/8/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

Home for Ambition #11 — Weekly Live Show [6/10/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, by Leland, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Banking to Buy-Side: IB & Venture Playbook [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many finance professionals see investment banking as a stepping stone, but far fewer understand how to successfully make the jump to the buy side. This session is for candidates interested in venture capital, investing, and long-term finance careers who want a clearer roadmap for navigating that transition. You’ll learn how investment banking experience can be leveraged for buy-side opportunities, what firms look for in candidates making the move, and how to position yourself throughout the recruiting process. Join live to hear from two experts with extensive experience across both investment banking and venture capital and ask questions about your own career path. The speakers have firsthand experience navigating these industries and will share the patterns they see across successful transitions, common mistakes, and what differentiates candidates who break through. Expect practical insights and advice similar to what’s covered in 1:1 career coaching conversations.

HELP -- I'm Non-Traditional! AMA with Jessica B [6/8/2026] (Recording)

You didn't take the standard path. That doesn't mean you can't get into a top program — it means you need a sharper strategy than most. This is an open AMA for applicants who don't fit the typical mold: career changers, military veterans, physicians, founders, late-career applicants, people with non-linear resumes, or anyone who's ever wondered whether admissions committees will know what to do with them. I've worked with all of you. Since 2006, my clients have come from backgrounds that don't map neatly onto the McKinsey-to-HBS pipeline — and they've gotten into M7 programs anyway, frequently with scholarship. Three times Poets & Quants has recognized me as one of the best admissions consultants in the field. Bring your specific situation. Ask me whether your background is a liability or an asset, how to frame a career that's hard to explain in 250 words, whether EMBA or full-time MBA makes more sense for where you are, or anything else that's been keeping you up at night. No slides. No agenda. Just answers.

The Unwritten Rules of Getting Promoted [7/20/2026] (Recording)

Ready to move up in your career and wondering how to climb the corporate ladder? Join me for an insightful session on "The Unwritten Rules of Getting Promoted." In this event, we'll explore key strategies in leadership, skill-building, and career planning to help you break through barriers and achieve your professional goals. Whether you're looking to make a move or find your next role, this session will provide you with the tools and insights needed to elevate your career. Topics: Creating Credibility Showing Up Elevating Your Role Making Sure You & Your Work are a Priority About Jeff Sigel: With over two decades of experience in marketing and business intelligence, including VP roles at Cracker Barrel and Ahold Delhaize, I've honed my skills in leadership development and career advancement.

Ace the Case: Case Interview 101 [6/27/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into consulting is one of the most competitive career moves you can make and the case interview is the gatekeeper! In this live session, Jonathan Diaz, a BCG alum and Tuck MBA, will walk you through everything you need to know to walk into your next case interview with confidence: from understanding the two case delivery styles used by top firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, to building airtight frameworks, cracking exhibits, performing live math, and delivering a sharp, CEO-ready recommendation. Whether you've never cased before or you're looking to sharpen your edge, you'll leave this session with a clear understanding of the end-to-end case flow, proven strategies for each stage, and the mindset shifts that separate good candidates from the ones who get offers.

The MBB Reapplication Playbook [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Getting rejected from McKinsey, Bain, or BCG is discouraging, especially when consulting is a goal you've worked hard toward. If you're considering reapplying, know that what you're feeling is completely normal, and you're far from alone in this situation. The good news is that MBB firms regularly extend offers to candidates on their second attempt. Reapplication is not just accepted; it's common, and firms genuinely want to see candidates grow and try again. Many consultants currently at MBB firms have a rejection somewhere in their story. The difference between those who succeed the second time and those who don't usually comes down to a few deliberate steps taken between applications. In this webinar, we'll break down exactly what those steps are, from strengthening your profile to refining your case prep approach, so you can put your best foot forward and turn that rejection into an offer.

AMA - Journey from McKinsey consulting to small business ownership [7/15/2026] (Recording)

Over the past three years, I have acquired 3 businesses and looked at dozens of others while transitioning from McKinsey to small business ownership. There are thousands of ways to go about this successfully and many pitfalls you can fall into. This is an AMA designed to discuss my personal experience and those I have personally witnessed and share some of that knowledge.

MBA Strategy Session: Pick the Right Schools, Tell the Right Story, Apply at the [7/28/2026] (Recording)

In this free 45-minute strategy session, I’ll help you understand how to approach the MBA decision before jumping into applications. We’ll cover how to choose the right MBA format, build a smart school list, assess timing, and start shaping a compelling admissions narrative. What we’ll cover: How to decide whether now is the right time for your MBA Full-time vs Executive vs one-year MBA options How to choose schools beyond rankings What admissions committees look for in strong candidates How to connect your career goals, story, and school selection Common mistakes candidates make when starting too late or applying too broadly This session is especially useful for applicants targeting European and global MBA programs such as IESE, INSEAD, LBS, HEC, Oxford, Cambridge, IE, ESADE, and top US schools. I’ll also share practical insights from my experience as an IESE MBA alumnus, admissions collaborator, professor, and MBA coach.

What MBB interviewers really want to see (and how to demonstrate them) [7/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for a management consulting interview and wondering what MBB interviewers are really looking for? Join me for an insightful session where we'll dive into the key skills and attributes that top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain value most in candidates, and more importantly, where to best demonstrate these qualities during the interview. With my experience as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group and a member of the recruiting team, I have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed in these competitive interviews. Whether you're just starting your consulting recruiting journey or a veteran, this session will equip you with the insights you need to stand out. I look forward to helping you succeed in your consulting career!

The Diversity Statement Demystified: Workshopping the Second Essay [6/16/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to frame your diversity statement as a scholarly asset rather than a personal biography, and how to avoid the structural mistakes that weaken otherwise strong PhD applications. The workshop will focus on what admissions committees actually look for in this essay: a clear through-line between your background and your intellectual trajectory, and a tone that is reflective without being confessional. Attending live means you can bring your specific framing questions and hear how the coach works through cases in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach reviews diversity statements regularly as part of active PhD admissions coaching, and this session reflects the patterns that consistently separate compelling essays from forgettable ones.

MBA Strategy Session: Pick the Right Schools, Tell the Right Story, Apply at the [6/18/2026] (Recording)

In this free 45-minute strategy session, I’ll help you understand how to approach the MBA decision before jumping into applications. We’ll cover how to choose the right MBA format, build a smart school list, assess timing, and start shaping a compelling admissions narrative. What we’ll cover: How to decide whether now is the right time for your MBA Full-time vs Executive vs one-year MBA options How to choose schools beyond rankings What admissions committees look for in strong candidates How to connect your career goals, story, and school selection Common mistakes candidates make when starting too late or applying too broadly This session is especially useful for applicants targeting European and global MBA programs such as IESE, INSEAD, LBS, HEC, Oxford, Cambridge, IE, ESADE, and top US schools. I’ll also share practical insights from my experience as an IESE MBA alumnus, admissions collaborator, professor, and MBA coach.

GMAT Quant Strategies for 90%+ Scores [7/22/2026] (Recording)

Rusty on your Math skills? Eager to start studying for the GMAT, but need a refresher of the basic Arithmetic and Algebra topics tested on the exam? In this fun and engaging webinar designed and taught by the 99%-ile GMAT instructor with many years of teaching experience, you'll learn the strategies that will help you achieve success on the Quant section of the GMAT! If you're serious about mastering the GMAT and applying to the very best business schools, you can't afford to miss the FREE GMAT Strategies Workshop!

What Made You a Strong Operator May Be Costing You as a Leader 6/16/26

Strong operators usually get promoted because they’re sharp, reliable, useful, and good at figuring things out. But people leadership asks for a different kind of strength. At some point, the same habits that made you valuable as an operator can start creating drag as a leader. You may find yourself overexplaining, second-guessing, carrying too much in your head, jumping in too quickly, delaying hard conversations, or trying to stay useful in ways that make it harder to actually lead. This session is a practical working session for technical managers and technical leads moving into people leadership. We’ll look at why strong operator habits can become leadership drag, how to spot what is costing you the most right now, and why clearer leadership usually starts with better operating design. You’ll leave with a simple Leadership Drag Audit you can use immediately to identify where your current way of operating is creating unnecessary cost for you, your team, and your leadership presence. This session is especially useful if you are a technical manager who was promoted because you were strong technically, but now you are responsible for delegation, performance conversations, trust, communication under pressure, and leading people without carrying everything yourself. This is the front door to the work I call the People Leadership OS: building a way of leading that fits who you actually are and what your role now requires. This session is for: Technical managers Engineering managers Data engineering managers Analytics engineering managers ML and data science managers Platform, infrastructure, DevOps, and security managers Technical leads moving into people leadership Former senior, staff, or principal ICs who now manage people or are about to

Secondary Applications: Writing Excellent Essays [6/9/2026] (Recording)

Secondary applications can quickly become overwhelming, and many strong applicants lose momentum when it comes time to write dozens of school-specific essays. This session is for medical school applicants who want a clearer strategy for writing compelling secondary responses efficiently and effectively. You’ll learn how to approach common prompts, maintain quality across multiple applications, and craft essays that feel personal without becoming repetitive. Join live to ask questions about your own secondary essays and hear guidance from a coach who completed over 40 secondaries and earned 13 medical school acceptances. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating the volume and pressure of the process and now helps applicants strengthen their writing and application strategy. Expect practical advice and insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 coaching conversations.

Breaking Into Investment Banking from Non-Traditional Backgrounds [6/16/2026] (Recording)

If your resume doesn't follow the traditional finance recruiting path, this session will show you how to position your background so it reads as an asset, not a gap. We'll cover how to reframe non-traditional experience for banking roles, which transferable skills actually resonate with hiring managers, and how to approach networking when you don't have built-in alumni pipelines. Attending live means you can describe your specific background and get a direct read on how a recruiter or banker would interpret it, which a recording simply cannot replicate. The coach works with non-traditional candidates regularly and will share the patterns that tend to separate the ones who break in from the ones who stall out.

Winning Essays from My Stanford GSB Admits [7/24/2026] (Recording)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those who really maximize the essay-writing process develop clear narrative through-lines that connect the dots of their life, and articulate how they'll contributions to their target brand. Their two-dimensional writing brings out a three-dimensional personality. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful admits who I've personally coached, and helped land a spot at one or more top MBA programs. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a holistic applicant who admissions committees could envision on campus. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make a specific, meaningful difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Stanford's top MBA program.

Generate More Leads with AI [6/25/2026] (Recording)

Generating more leads isn’t about using more tools—it’s about building a system that consistently creates opportunities. This session is for sales and marketing professionals who want to use AI to improve lead generation without adding unnecessary complexity to their workflow. You’ll learn how to integrate AI into a practical sales process, identify the highest-impact use cases, and create repeatable systems that help you find and engage more qualified prospects. Join live to ask questions about your current process and see how an expert approaches AI-driven lead generation in the real world. The speaker specializes in helping teams build practical, scalable sales workflows and focuses on using AI to enhance execution rather than simply adding new tools. Expect actionable strategies and real-world insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 consulting engagements.

Intel Collection for the MBA: Schools, Careers, and the Application [6/11/2026] (Recording)

This is the second session in the MDMP for MBA series series structured around the seven phases of the Military Decision-Making Process. Each session stands on its own, but together they form a complete framework for military and veteran applicants to systematically and strategically approach the MBA admissions process. In this session, we'll focus on mission analysis and cover how to collect HUMINT and AI-enabled SIGINT to improve your understanding of the critical elements of MBA application: target schools (including class profiles, employment outcomes, and culture), post-MBA career paths (industries, functions, recruiting pipelines, compensation), and the components of the application itself (essays, recommendations, and academic preparation. We'll also cover resources available to military and veteran applicants, from the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon to Service to School and school veterans clubs. By the end, you'll know how to build your candidate school list, how to research post-MBA careers, and how to gather the intelligence that makes every later decision in the process a sound one. Hosted by Ian Kennedy, former Army Special Forces (18E, 1st SFG) and Stanford MBA/MS, who has coached military and veteran applicants into admissions at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, LBS, Duke, and more.