By Bretton Lam, @deca.bretton | Basis Independent Silicon Valley, CA
My palms were sweating as I walked toward the table, wiping them against my suit pants before setting down the visuals I'd made for my role-play. Nerves flooded my mind as I greeted my judge, myself barely confident in the solution I threw together in just ten minutes.
Looking back at my first role-play ever, that 82 was a generous score. I hit all the performance indicators, drew graphs and visuals, and even added creative elements. But the constant worry about whether my solution was viable, the abundance of filler words and the question of whether my judge could see my vision created self-inflicted wounds that affected every aspect of my pitch.
For most DECA students, the most challenging part about a role-play isn’t the prompt; it's the nervousness and adrenaline you feel in a competitive environment. Here are a few simple mindset fixes that can help increase confidence and boost scoring results.
1. Imagine The Judge As Your Best Friend
Judges score dozens of competitors every day, each presenting solutions to the same prompt. Most presentations blur together, one less student to listen to before the day is done.
The best way to approach the role-play is to treat it like a conversation. When you treat your judge like a friend rather than a business professional, conversations become more natural and your ideas are conveyed more effectively. Your pitch becomes memorable. Reimagining the situation can be the difference between a disappointing score and a glass on top of a podium.
2. Take Pauses
Often, students lose track of their thought processes and struggle to convey their thoughts properly. Using filler words such as “um” or “like”, these bad habits can throw your judges’ thought process off and focus their attention on your lack of confidence rather than the content of your presentation.
Instead, take pauses when you lose focus. Collect your thoughts and maintain composure before continuing forward.
3. Prepare Beforehand
Sign up for practice role-plays offered by your own school chapter. Receiving mentorship from experienced DECA members can provide the guidance necessary for competition success. Practice makes perfect, and the constant advice and feedback from others will drastically shift your performance on future role-plays.
The next time you enter the competition room, rather than fidgeting with your hands or stuttering your words, remember these few tips. Take a deep breath and win glass!
