University of Minnesota Athletics
Leadership Council Hears from Maya DiRado Andrews
9/11/2020 9:55:00 AM | Leadership U
The University of Minnesota Leadership U program meets once a month with their leadership council, which consists of 35 student-athletes across all sports. In August, this group was joined by Maya DiRado-Andrews, former Stanford student-athlete and professional swimmer, in a Q&A session. Andrews covered topics ranging from leadership, accountability, qualities of a good teammate, and honoring values.
Maya believes, "any great leader starts by being a great teammate/follower. Leaders drive people to perform outside of themselves and beyond what they thought was possible and they establish buy-in." Andrews pointed out that a good teammate is one who is there for their peers during the good and bad times, they foster trust within a team, and practice setting egos aside. She also stated, "As teammates, you need to have the courage to say what you see in others and let them name what they see in you."
Given the unprecedented times we are currently facing, Maya posed the question, "do you know your people?" Crises reveal how much a leader truly knows and understands their people and their team. Effective leaders are comfortable with adapting and recognizing how others experience and approach situations differently. Leaders also have a great pulse on what is needed by others and adjust their communication style to meet others where they are.
The Leadership Council meeting concluded with Maya's final piece of advice to her younger self- "Step into the moment more, and enjoy and thrive off of the team environment and energy."
Maya DiRado-Andrews grew up in California and attended Stanford University from 2010-2014. She is a four-time NCAA champion winning the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, 400 freestyle relay, and 400 medley relay her senior year and was also named Pac-12 Swimmer of the year. She graduated with a degree in management science and engineering. Maya competed in numerous international competitions then went on to win two golds, one silver, and one bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics. Following the Olympics, Maya retired from swimming and became a business analyst for the prestigious management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. In 2018 she began working for the grantmaking organization King Philanthropies and is now their portfolio manager. She also serves as a board member of the USA Swimming Foundation. Maya is more than a successful athlete and professional, she has proven herself as an effective teammate and leader.
Maya believes, "any great leader starts by being a great teammate/follower. Leaders drive people to perform outside of themselves and beyond what they thought was possible and they establish buy-in." Andrews pointed out that a good teammate is one who is there for their peers during the good and bad times, they foster trust within a team, and practice setting egos aside. She also stated, "As teammates, you need to have the courage to say what you see in others and let them name what they see in you."
Given the unprecedented times we are currently facing, Maya posed the question, "do you know your people?" Crises reveal how much a leader truly knows and understands their people and their team. Effective leaders are comfortable with adapting and recognizing how others experience and approach situations differently. Leaders also have a great pulse on what is needed by others and adjust their communication style to meet others where they are.
The Leadership Council meeting concluded with Maya's final piece of advice to her younger self- "Step into the moment more, and enjoy and thrive off of the team environment and energy."
Maya DiRado-Andrews grew up in California and attended Stanford University from 2010-2014. She is a four-time NCAA champion winning the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, 400 freestyle relay, and 400 medley relay her senior year and was also named Pac-12 Swimmer of the year. She graduated with a degree in management science and engineering. Maya competed in numerous international competitions then went on to win two golds, one silver, and one bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics. Following the Olympics, Maya retired from swimming and became a business analyst for the prestigious management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. In 2018 she began working for the grantmaking organization King Philanthropies and is now their portfolio manager. She also serves as a board member of the USA Swimming Foundation. Maya is more than a successful athlete and professional, she has proven herself as an effective teammate and leader.
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