Suggestions
Victor Saad
Helping students become leaders, & helping leaders become students.
Victor Saad is an influential educator, entrepreneur, and author, best known as the Founder and CEO of the Experience Institute, a pioneering organization that reimagines higher education and workplace learning through experiential learning methods. Established in 2013, the Experience Institute focuses on designing real-world experiences that cultivate essential skills for students and professionals alike.125
Early Life and Education
In 2012, instead of pursuing a traditional MBA, Saad embarked on a self-designed educational journey known as The Leap Year Project. This initiative involved completing 12 projects over 12 months with various startups and organizations worldwide. His unique approach culminated in a graduation staged at a TED conference in Chicago, which garnered significant attention and laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.134
Career Highlights
- Experience Institute: Under Saad's leadership, the Experience Institute has developed transformative learning programs for major corporations such as Google, Kellogg’s, and Red Bull. The institute emphasizes experiential learning to prepare individuals for the rapidly evolving job market.24
- Lecturer at Stanford: Since 2017, Saad has served as a Lecturer in Design at Stanford University’s d.school, where he has contributed to developing programs that integrate real-world projects into academic curricula.125
- Recognition: In 2015, he was named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list for his contributions to education, highlighting his impact on innovative learning practices.12
Publications and Contributions
Victor Saad is also an author, having written "The Shapeless Shape," which focuses on the power of learning through risk. His work promotes the idea that taking risks can lead to personal and professional growth.14
In summary, Victor Saad is a visionary leader in education who leverages experiential learning to equip individuals with the skills necessary for success in today's dynamic environment. His innovative approaches continue to inspire students and professionals globally.
Highlights
How do you think your future self would finish this sentence:
"I wish I had spent more time on __________"?
Fill in the blank.
And then make time for that activity this weekend.
Our future selves are just made up of small actions we take each day.
Start now.
Designing a conference? Please rethink the traditional format where attendees passively sit through hours of expert panels and fireside chats. There is a better way and it doesn't take much effort or thought.
A few things you might consider:
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Every 30-60 minutes, pause to encourage attendees to introduce themselves to someone new and discuss a key takeaway from the latest session.
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Place Q&A cards on tables for participants to submit questions throughout the session. Invite those who submit questions to share their context, creating a richer dialogue.
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Don't just celebrate the sponsors — celebrate the people in the room. Study the list of attendees and find interesting facts about who's joining. Highlight the range of backgrounds, demographics, etc.
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During breaks, set up zones for different affinity groups, helping people connect with others who share their interests and expertise.
You'll probably think of even better things. But you get the picture.
It's nice to hear how a few experts are thinking about current issues — but it's transformative if you can foster connections that go far beyond your event.
#learning #development #workplace #growth
