Christine Dong '19 on Management and Leadership

The Management and Leadership Development Program (MLDP) is a one-term program that prepares students to succeed in all of their management and leadership endeavors.

Christine Dong '19, an economics and English major, participated in the Dartmouth Leadership Attitudes & Behaviors Program (D-LAB), a program for first year students, which discusses leadership at Dartmouth. She then joined MLDP in the fall of her sophomore year to build upon the skills that she acquired in D-LAB. MLDP proved to be the perfect vehicle for Christine's continued learning experience.

During the program, Christine was especially inspired during the session facilitated by Jennifer Sargent, J.D. and visiting Associate Professor of Writing. Sargent discussed different styles of leadership and the fact that both introverts and extroverts can be leaders. An introvert herself, Christine had always viewed leaders as extroverted. Sargent's session, titled "Using Your Strengths for Effective Professional Communication" helped Christine understand that introverts have valuable leadership strengths, such as being good at listening to others and self-reflection.  

Through the Personal Leadership Challenge portion of the program, students identify a tangible challenge they currently face and set goals to tackle it. This new appreciation for the value of listening and reflection gave Christine increased confidence in her own style of leadership as Co-President of the Dartmouth Badminton Club. It is Christine's habit to individually meet with members of the team to ensure their views are heard and demonstrates to each person that they are a valued member of the team. Christine reflects that these individual meetings have increased cohesion and engagement in the club and inspired the team to prepare for competitions with other players in the Upper Valley.