Since last year, super-model Tyra Banks has been enrolled at Harvard Business School. At first glance, this seems strange. Why would someone who is known for her beauty and image (and who has experienced a financial success that most of us can only dream about) feel the need to get an advanced degree at this stage of her career?

The answer is simple. Tyra Banks is not just a super-model. She is a Rising Star and a perfect example of someone who possesses a drive to succeed and grow. Her ambition is to make her business empire the best of the best and she knows that in order for her company to achieve that aspiration, she as its head has to become the best of the best as well. In a recent interview with CBS news, Tyra explains, “In order for my company to grow and be the best and to reach these woman and to serve them, I needed the best. So I went to the best.”

What can we learn from Tyra?

1. Our past success doesn’t define our future possibilities. She may have been a Victoria Secret “angel” but that doesn’t limit her ability to become a talk show host and now a business executive.
2. Just because we have been successful in the past, doesn’t mean that we have learned all we need to learn. Tyra has taken the steps to learn what she needs to in order to be effective at each role she undertakes.
3. Successful people really do need to associate with other successful people in order to grow. Tyra didn’t settle for any business school. She went to the best because she knew that being around other top talent would augment her own learning experiences and future potential for accelerated success.

Now if she can only teach us how to be super-models – that would be great!

Harvard Business School Attendee – Tyra Banks