Student journey
Her first time leading a team ended near the bottom.
After two disappointing finals, she kept competing and reflecting on how to lead a team. Across two years, she gradually moved from following others to taking responsibility.
From following the team to leading it
At her first business competition, she was not a core team member. Her involvement was limited, and she mostly followed the team through its tasks rather than taking responsibility for how the work progressed.
At her second competition, she became captain. The team faced conflict, mistakes and pressure, and finished near the bottom. Taking the lead brought problems that she could previously leave to others into her own responsibility.
A different understanding of responsibility
That first result as captain made her reconsider the role. Avoiding a team problem would not resolve it, and she could not always wait for someone else to take responsibility.
She reached the finals twice without receiving even a bronze award. She continued competing, reviewing and adjusting how she communicated, prepared and led her team.
Becoming someone who takes responsibility
Over time, she moved from following the group to taking responsibility for problems. Her decisions, her collaboration with teammates and the final outcome became things she was willing to own. That change began before the next award arrived.
Two years later, she led her team to the overall national championship at her third national final. The successive competitions give that result its context: a first encounter with competition, a captain’s role, setbacks, continued effort and another challenge with her team.
Based on the student’s competition journey; her name is withheld.
