Andrea Contigiani Among the Best MBA Instructors Under 40 in the World

"I got the award because I do what isn't normally done. Or is done too little." Andrea Contigiani, who graduated from Bocconi in Economic and Social Disciplines in 2009, is now assistant professor of management at Max M. Fisher College of Business of Ohio State University, in Columbus. But above all, he is one of the best 40 instructors under 40 in the world to teach in an MBA, according to the ranking of the site dedicated to business education Poets & Quants. What is not normally done in a classroom of a Master in Business Administration, as Contigiani himself explains, "is to create a psychologically safe, informal, collaborative climate, in which everyone feels at ease and is not afraid to express themselves for fear of being judged, by the teacher and by the course colleagues. Usually, in fact, we prefer to stimulate competition, which also brings with it a certain tension and, above all, kills creativity."

A method that, in the hyper-competitive United States, evidently is liked, because most of the motivations of the award depend precisely on the judgment of the students. "I teach the entrepreneurship course, although more than a course, I prefer to think of it as a laboratory. From the first days of the course I form teams that carry out business ideas, which they will then present to investors at the end of the course. In the process," continues Contigiani, "we use a lot of research, especially in psychology and economics, to develop these ideas. And the teams work together, as I said before, in maximum collaboration and serenity." Contigiani also teaches in some undergraduate courses, and the differences are obvious: "Younger students prefer a more structured course, they want to be guided like happens in high schools, especially at the beginning. And even if I try to recreate the same collaborative environment, it's normal to be more directive. I do not deny that I prefer teaching the MBA, which is almost a conversation between peers, a continuous, mutual feedback. But it's true that you have a greater impact on younger people."

The recognition from Poets & Quants is awarded primarily for qualities as an instructor, but assistant professors spend most of their time on research. How do you combine the two aspects? "It happens that teaching is sometimes neglected, but it should not be so, even if in our career we are evaluated essentially for what we produce as researchers. The award also highlights the importance of knowing how to teach." Behind him, in the Columbus apartment where he lives, two flags stand out, one of the USA, one of Italy. Is it a sign that you want to return? "In the medium term my goal is to return to Europe. And I emphasize Europe, because I like the idea of a continent in which, with a couple hours of flight, you go from one reality to another and with extreme ease. And where no one judges you for the place you come from but only for the quality of your work. A bit like what happens here."