Experiential Learning in Finance and Leadership

Oops, That’s Risk! One block at a me 

Who knew learning about balance sheets and leadership skills could be so…entertaining? In our Business Management classroom, we’ve turned every ordinary concept into extraordinary (some mes hilarious). Imagine a room full of future CEOs debating over pricing strategies as if their marks depended on it, or passionately arguing about leadership styles while accidentally knocking their water bottles. That’s us, where business meets comedy and learning gets real.  

Over the past few months, my experience with these children has been awesome. Our students have taken on projects that have tested their wits, sparked their creativity, and sometimes left them scratching their heads (in a good way) to find an answer. From a mock case studies to real-world problem solving, every activity has blended education, collaboration, and the occasional “Oops, I forgot my homework.”  

Should I title it? The picture itself looks interesting, right? / Let the Jenga do the talking

A group of business leaders huddles around a stack of Jenga blocks. Each block wasn’t just wood, it was a root cause of the 2008 financial crisis. The blocks turned the complicated concepts like systematic risk and economic interdependence into something tangible and memorable with lots of fun with the entire imaginary Global economy. This wasn’t just a game; it was a masterclass in the Domino effect as students watched how one bad decision can trigger a financial problem. As they arranged the blocks, they grasped not only the roots causes of the crisis but also the importance of collaboration, quick thinking and avoiding unnecessary risks both in Jenga and in finance. 

What began as a fun tower of wooden blocks eventually evolved into a potent allegory for the brittleness of international finance and the value of group learning. Students experienced the 2008 financial crisis through curiosity, laughter, and a few near-falls. More significantly, they discovered both in business and life that every choice counts, every voice matters, and that sometimes the best lessons are learned by watching the entire thing fail and then figuring out how to rebuild it better.