The entire Fuqua MBA experience has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and the lesson I have learned is that we are all more resilient and can achieve more than we ever thought possible. We have taken final exams that have spanned 12 hours of non-stop accounting. We have left home for weeks at a time, far away from our loved ones—I left my newborn son when he was seven days old to attend our first international residency! What you learn is how resilient you are if you put your mind to something, get clear on your goals, and communicate those goals with your family and close network.

In the program coordination, communication, and humility are critical for your team’s success. People on your team may be on different time zones or have different schedules (personal and work), so communicating as early as possible and making a plan with your team will make you more successful. Humility is important because we are often protective of our own ideas, and view ourselves as intelligent and capable. When someone submits an idea that disagrees with your own, it may cause you to react in a defensive way. Take this as an opportunity to practice active listening and empathy, and better understand where their idea is coming from. Try to be “curious, not furious” and take the time to ask questions.