Emory Business School Students Learn Teamwork in the Classroom–and in the Kitchen

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In the business classic, What They Don’t Teach You at the Harvard Business School, author Mark McCormack sheds light on the business essentials not taught in class, such as how to conduct a meeting, persuade people and get along with others.

Written decades ago, that book was a best seller. But today, the notion that business schools are ignoring these softer skills is being turned on its head. In fact, teamwork, organizational dynamics, and getting along with others is exactly what they Do teach at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

That’s why more than 300 students recently headed to Team Building with Taste for a series of culinary team building cooking classes for students. It was part of the curriculum of Business 383—Team Dynamics and Leadership, an undergraduate business class designed to expose students to team dynamics, team building and working together collaboratively.

“It’s a unique course that not many business schools offer,” noted Jeremy Billetdeaux, Director, Co-Curricular Programs, at Emory’s Goizueta Business School. “It’s a half credit course, but it’s required for undergraduate business majors. MBA students also participate in a team dynamics and leadership activity when they start the MBA program,” he added.

Team Building Cooking Classes For Students Enhance Classroom Work

To supplement their course work, the students visit several offsite venues where they have to put into practice the principles taught in class.

At Team Building with Taste, that means teamwork and team building. Working together in groups of five or six, students race against the clock to create a meal, plate it and then “sell” the judges on their creation during the student cooking exercises.

“While most of the students are not experienced in cooking, they love the competition at Team Building with Taste. This is our second year there and we will be back again next year. For most students, it’s their favorite offsite experience,” Billetdeaux offered.