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Being an Effective Team Player

  • Students meet the challenge of building a fire under challenging conditions.

  • Prior to a hands-on exercise, Steven Spaulding, Dartmouth's Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership, gave an energizing talk on how leaders provide vision, direction, and motivation for their teams. Photo by Sally Kim.

On February 3, 2016, MLDP welcomed another one of our own, Steven Spaulding, the Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership. Spaulding shared his insights on leading teams. Before one can lead a team, one first needs to understand what it means to be a good teammate.

Shortly after, students were put to the test in a little competitive outdoor activity of building a fire. The teams were further challenged when some members were then not allowed use of their eyes or voice. In order to achieve the activity’s goal, team members had to use concepts they have been practicing in MLDP, like communication and recognizing others’ strengths and weaknesses. Great teams not only believe in these values and concepts, they have the discipline to actually execute the activities. 

After the session Andrew Blackwell ’18 said, “Today I learned the true value of trust and communication within a team.”

Submitted by Mary Sieredzinski ’17, MLDP Student Program Assistant