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Peter Varellas, MBA ’14: Teamwork Matters

A former Olympian explains how working together is critical to success in sports — and in business.

Peter Varellas, MBA ’14 | ToniBird Photography

April 26, 2014

This series features our students’ reflections on their aspirations, learnings, challenges, and joys. Here, Peter shares his thoughts about a crucial component of success in both sports and business: working together as a team.

The concept of team matters most to me. My teammates over the years have shown me the importance of enjoying the journey and worrying less about the destination. For me, enjoying the people around me, wanting to work hard for them, and being committed to a process have been the keys to both success and fulfillment.

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Teamwork here is built into everything we do, just as in the business world.

This was true in my sporting career as a 2012 water polo Olympian and a 2008 silver medalist. So many people supported our training and competition — logistically, financially, and emotionally. And, of course, my most fundamental team, my family, gave me so much and shaped me into the person that I am today.

Stanford GSB is an intersection of an amazing group of people, and that’s the true value of this place. Teamwork here is built into everything we do, just as in the business world.

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