As 2008 draws to a close and EMBA V passes the half-way milestone in our Oxford education, it’s very difficult indeed to resist the temptation of reflecting on the year just gone…

So I give in.

What was 2008 all about? What themes emerged? What threads were knit together to weave the fabric of 2008?

With ever so many ways to frame 2008, I would suggest that it was the year that offered far more questions than answers. And only very rarely could the questions be answered in a simple manner of yes or no…

Not surprisingly, there was a bottomless ocean of academic questions to be considered: What’s the difference between a manager and a leader? Do the dynamics of my industry reflect a Bertand or Cournoud model of oligopoly? What are the implications of Modigliani Miller’s Proposition II, and how have these changed in the face of today’s global financial crisis?

Professionally, I find myself asking, how much value can my business plan really create? Will I put myself forward for greater contributions within my company and industry, or explore new possibilities in private equity and social entrepreneurship?

Personally and practically, I find myself asking continuously – how can I stretch myself to reach the next milestone?

As the year ticked away in its seasons and rhythms, I soon recognised that the academic, professional, practical, personal and even philosophical questions cannot be compartmentalised – that they are in fact as intertwined as a tree is to the earth, the sky and everything in between.

Every project that you do, every assignment you submit, every connection that you make between colleagues, friends, family, classmates and professors… You are in fact raising a question.

Sometimes, you may even find yourself asking, is this achievable? Do I have it within me to complete this journey?

To this end, an ancient Chinese saying comes to mind:

Ask the question and risk being a fool for five minutes; don’t ask the question and remain a fool forever.