In my last post I mentioned the value of having like-minded people surrounding you. One of the additional benefits of this shared vision is easy friendship. The value of these friendships will be measured over time, but a shared experience like such an intense program has the potential to forge strong and lasting relationships.
In the same vein, I attended my first “Competition Class” on Friday. A team of ten from our class have been chosen to work towards competing in business case competitions which take place in January. The people who tried out and made the team are by and large friends.
Our first class was a blockbuster. Many of us not only have classes together, but are part of the MBA Student Association, and have spent time together outside of class. The nervousness and breaking-in period that new teams require to become effective was significantly reduced. We are able to drive each other to work hard, and our collective desire for victory is clear.
I believe this trend will extend further as we move along. We are comfortable with each other because we spend time together. We are happy to keep one another accountable because we trust each other. We work hard because we have fun together.
Translate this to our future careers – creating connections with your team will allow it to compete at a higher level within your organization and against your competitors.
Comradeship boosts competition. So go out, make friends, and compete hard.