By Aashi Parvathareddy | Ronald W Reagan DECA, NC
DECA teaches students how to win. It celebrates every perfect presentation, every polished role-play, every name called to thunderous applause. But for most students, DECA happens outside the spotlight: teammates staying up late to figure out how to be cohesive, the nerves you smother before walking into the room and the mental notes you take after you walk out.
Everyone in DECA has faced these moments; they shape the kind of leadership, resilience and teamwork that awards alone can’t measure. Those who notice and embrace them turn every competition, glass or not, into an opportunity.
Leading When No One’s Looking
Someone once said that most leaders don’t have a title. Instead, leadership is exemplified in preparation, support and initiative. Helping a teammate rehearse a role-play, volunteering to organize practice materials or even offering feedback are all forms of leadership that last longer than DECA glass. They build credibility, strengthen bonds and prove that influence doesn't need applause.
Tips to apply this:
- Support others, even in small ways
- Take initiative during practice sessions
- Recognize and celebrate leadership in others
Coming Back From Disappointment
Competitions are never predictable; they are full of unexpected outcomes: tough critiques, low scores or a slip-up during a presentation. Resilience is the ability to process these moments and turn them into individual opportunities for growth.
Tips to apply this:
- Keep a “lessons” notebook for each competition or role-play
- Review feedback and pick 1-2 items to improve
- Practice self-compassion; you will never improve if you can’t understand yourself
Winning Together, Even When You Don’t
On the surface, DECA is about competition and success. Once you find your place in DECA, you know that collaboration matters much more. Students who focus on collective success, such as preparing together, encouraging teammates, complementing someone’s outfit and celebrating achievements, develop long-term communication, adaptability and leadership skills that even judges can notice.
Tips to apply this:
- Share effective strategies with your team
- Offer support for peers during prep and performance
- Understand that teamwork will never weaken you
Every Moment Has Leadership Potential
The people who truly grow are the ones who see beyond trophies and applause. The ones on stage recognize their hard work and the challenges they had to overcome. Those who didn’t perform as well as they wanted to know how to improve for next time, even if that next time doesn’t involve DECA. Competitors who focus on the opportunities DECA gives, like leadership, community and confidence, emerge stronger, more capable and ready to make an impact in the future.
Tips to apply this:
- Set personal goals beyond awards (e.g., mentoring teammates)
- Meaningfully reflect after each competition: what worked, what you want to do next time, and how you contributed
- Everything you do is a chance to grow, lead, and influence others.
DECA celebrates winners loudly, but the quiet, unnoticed moments are where leadership truly starts. EVERY student has opportunities to practice resilience, teamwork and initiative. Recognition and embracing these moments transform mere competition into lasting growth, a sense of belonging and authentic leadership. Winning isn’t measured through medals, but by the skills, influence and confidence you carry forward.
