We’re in an age defined by unprecedented changes to business practices due to emerging technologies that disrupt industry operations and best practices. Businesses have more than ever to consider and navigate as they work to stay agile, successful and relevant in a shifting global economy.
Professionals who are able to leverage advanced cross-functional skills and an adaptable mindset are key contributors to organizations. They can help businesses use the right data to make impactful decisions that allow them to thrive through changes in the global markets.
One way to position yourself as the ideal professional — both adaptable and an expert in business best practices — is to earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA). MBA graduates have been important fixtures in the business world for decades, applying their expertise and nuanced understanding of business as organizations navigate change and development.
What Skills Do You Gain From an MBA?
Analytical, Critical and Strategic Thinking
“Thinking” skills are crucial in data-driven business environments, where the factors that make the most impact are subject to the most constant change. With analytical, critical and strategic thinking, you can be the difference between making informed decisions and taking shots in the dark. Some abilities that strong analytical, critical and strategic thinkers have include:
- Organizing and analyzing confusing data
- Taking in new information, processing it and making decisions using it
- Decision-making rooted in logic and reasoning
An MBA equips you with the skills and mindset you need to make strategic, informed decisions, especially in the face of shifting political and economic conditions. With markets that are changing very quickly, businesses can’t thrive by doing things the way they’ve always been done. MBA graduates learn to think outside the box, consider multiple perspectives and critically analyze situations to make impactful decisions that support businesses through unprecedented situations.
Analytical and strategic skills are relevant for everyone, from executives at large corporations to mid-level professionals seeking to move into leadership roles.
Adaptable Leadership
The MBA is the only degree that is solely dedicated to transforming you from a specialized individual contributor to a true cross-functional leader. Other degrees can give you important management skills, but the MBA provides you with the interdisciplinary approach that allows you to rise above a single function and solve problems across a variety of departments.
In the day-to-day, an MBA prepares you to support your team, department or organization as they navigate shifting demands and an evolving landscape. This may include:
- Quickly retraining teams when best practices shift
- Navigating conflict or negativity when individual roles and responsibilities shift
- Efficiently and effectively sharing information across multiple departments
- Making decisions quickly with the most up-to-date information
- Changing the direction of a project as new factors arise
Economic Risk Management
In today’s dynamic global landscape, business leaders must be able to quickly assess the implications of trade policy changes and economic volatility. An MBA will provide you with courses in economics and risk management so that you can make informed, strategic decisions and respond to complex global market forces.
The degree will help you sharpen your ability to interpret data within economic frameworks and anticipate how tariffs or trade agreements could impact their industry or organization.
Through this economics education and additional courses in risk management, MBA graduates will be able to answer questions such as:
- How will this affect my industry or firm?
- What strategic moves can I make?
- What risks can I hedge?
- How do I align business goals with the realities of policy shifts?
Why Are These MBA Skills Crucial in a Global Market?
In a global market, the question isn’t whether or not meaningful change will occur, leaders know that change is inevitable and unavoidable. The better question to ask is when and where will change happen. Analytical, critical and strategic thinking; adaptable leadership; and risk management in an economic context are crucial skills that help you answer that question.
Take for example the ongoing battle for supremacy among soda brands. Among the many contenders, Coca Cola and Pepsi are the two long-standing frontrunners (although other brands like Dr. Pepper are certainly worth noting) of this competition.
While marketing and consumer preferences certainly impact market competition, economic factors play a major role. For example, the Wall Street Journal reports that Pepsi will incur a steep import tax due to the evolving 2025 U.S. tariff situation. Coca Cola largely produces in the U.S., while Pepsi’s concentrate production is almost entirely based in Ireland.
Pepsi will need to make strategic choices that minimize the negative effects of these tariffs, as the tariffs will affect every aspect of the company’s production. However, Coca Cola is not completely exempt from impact, especially when it comes to aluminum costs, which will rise due to the tariffs that target key industrial goods such as aluminum and steel. The company will likely use more plastic as a result, which affects both costs and sustainability initiatives.
Understanding the global economy from a data-backed perspective is critical in situations such as these, and an MBA is a great way to prepare to address hard challenges. Strong strategic thinking, adaptability and leadership skills help businesses interpret situations, respond to change and prepare for the next move. And with expertise in economic risk management, you’ll have an understanding of the frameworks that govern our global economy.
How Does MBA Coursework Prepare You to Lead Globally?
MBA and Global MBA programs are highly advanced programs, and the coursework is designed to help you tackle the biggest challenges that businesses face. This prepares MBA graduates to thrive in a complex global economy where shifting demands require adaptive strategies, not just simple fixes to processes.
As our world becomes increasingly globalized, with companies having multinational offices and operations, MBA curricula have been adapted to meet the needs of today’s globally connected professionals. For example, students in the GW School of Business Online MBA program will take interesting courses that consider the global lens. For example, Competition in the Global Economy and Microeconomics for the World Economy (both part of the core curriculum) engage students with relevant topics that address real business challenges and strategies.
Advanced courses immerse professionals in the complexities of modern business considerations, allowing them to develop and strengthen the high-level skills and knowledge that allow them to confidently navigate whatever the global economy throws their way.
Why Pursue an MBA?
The skills that you’ll develop in an MBA are incredibly impactful, especially for those looking to become leaders.
Growing Demand for Adaptive, Strategic Leaders
As globalization accelerates, fueled by technological advancements and cultural shifts, leaders who can adapt and course-correct quickly are in high demand. MBA programs are designed to mold strategic leaders, so it’s no surprise that the MBA is the most popular graduate degree for students and employers worldwide. Strategic thinking is also the number one requested skill by employers, according to data from Lightcast.
Mid-Career and Executive Relevance
Many professionals end up earning their MBAs because it’s the natural next step in their career path. In order to advance to strategic management and leadership positions, an MBA can give you both the skills and credential you need. An MBA is typically required for the highest level leadership positions, such as C-Suite roles, so if you envision yourself presenting in global board rooms, an MBA is your next step.
Prepare Yourself to Lead With GW’s MBA
Advance your career with the GW School of Business’s Master of Business Administration, available online and in-person. Our expert-led blend of live discussion, real-world case studies and multimedia learning will help you develop the strategic thinking skills and global perspective needed for leadership. We believe in supporting our students through their academic journeys: every student accepted into our summer and fall 2025 online graduate programs will receive an automatic tuition scholarship.
Learn more by requesting a brochure, or start your application today!
Since 1928, GW School of Business students have leveraged our global presence to pursue practical, insightful expertise in the world of business from an enviable vantage point. One of the most diverse cities in the United States, D.C. is home to leading organizations in the health care, hospitality, media, government, defense and technology sectors. Our faculty are thought leaders and educators in these areas and more, and they’re ready to provide you with the business and management expertise you need to succeed.