
In this solo episode, host Paul Taylor sits down with MBA student Hajira Malik to explore how understanding your natural talents can transform your career trajectory. Hajira shares her unique journey from government work to nursing to pursuing her MBA, driven by a desire for new challenges and growth. Through the lens of the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, they dive deep into Hajira's top five talents—empathy, positivity, connectedness, futuristic, and harmony—and how these strengths show up in her daily MBA experience. The conversation reveals the power of leaning into what you're naturally good at rather than trying to be well-rounded, explores how positivity helps Hajira navigate the pressures of grades and deadlines, and discusses the importance of building genuine relationships in business school. With candid insights about the "groan moments" when strengths can work against us and practical advice for leveraging talents in group projects, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to maximize their impact by understanding and embracing their unique strengths.