Four Success Factors for Surviving in an MBA Group

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-Blog Staff

Group work is the theme that pervades any valuable MBA experience. To succeed in an MBA program, or later on in business, or in a church calling, or on a sports team, or in a row boat --- you need to be able to work well in a group. Below are four things to consider that will likely help you maintain positive group experiences -- and keep you from rowing in a circle if you ever end up in a row boat.

1. Never burn a bridge.

Not every group will be a success and sometime in your life you will find yourself in a group with someone you have difficulties working with. It can be tempting to give up on salvaging a working relationship and let a group member know exactly what everyone else is thinking but will not say. Resist that urge. People come and people go; you never know when you will see someone again. George Bush and Dick Chaney were once rival peers in their class at Yale (not really, but you get the point.) A dysfunctional team member may end up working at the company of your dreams and may be your only foot in the door.

2. Choose wisely.

Some groups you cannot choose, while others you can. As you progress in your MBA experience, you will gain a better grasp of your performance standards, as well as the performance standards of your peers. If you get to choose your team members, choose individuals you will get along with who also share your work standards. This way you will be happy and they will be happy.

3. Be prepared.

Every group has a slacker, and if you do not know who the slacker is in your group, there is a good chance it is you. If you are not prepared, you will have a difficult time adding value to a group setting, and your group members will not have the confidence to give you the responsibility you need to shine.

4. Be genuinely positive.

Like it or not, good looks, intelligence, and a positive attitude are three success factors in life. You only need two of the three to get people to like you. While intelligence and attractiveness often lie outside of your locus of control, you can always change your outlook to become more positive. Never underestimate the power of being positive. It is contagious.

Rand Blair, Class of 2010, Marketing/Strategy

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