Seven Tuck Ground Rules

 You are where you are.   Each of you brings to Tuck unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas. No one expects you to have all the answers. Learn to be comfortable with very different experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

 You are here to teach and to learn.   Your goal is to become wise and decisive, as with all parts of Tuck. Great leaders are great teachers, and great teachers are great learners. Strive for a lifelong commitment to cultural learning.

 Everyone teaches and learns.   Tuck’s uniquely immersive learning community depends on the inclusion of every voice. Do not be afraid to respectfully challenge one another by asking questions. Try to criticize the idea, not the individual. Take good care of yourself in the moment: it is okay to delay or exit a discussion.

 Listen more than you talk.   Listening well is a vital part of teaching and learning. Your biggest learnings most often come when your mouth is closed, not open. Allow everyone the chance to speak. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

 Avoid judging people.   Did you judge when people made mistakes in your math classes? Does it make sense to judge them when they are striving to learn about deeper issues? Avoid assumptions about individuals based on generalizations about groups. Avoid speculation, inflammatory language, and blame.

 Bring empathy, grace, and confidentiality.   Tuck’s uniquely immersive learning community depends on everyone contributing to respect and to safety. Assume positive intent. The deepest learning often comes from making mistakes.

 Make it right.  Learning to recover from mistakes is a key leadership skill. If you hurt or offend someone, first strive to understand how and why. If you hurt or offend someone, then take accountability and make amends.