By Kanika Agarwala, @deca.kanika | Burlington High School, MA
Every successful DECA competitor, entrepreneur and leader has one thing in common: strong soft skills. You may not see them listed on a role-play feedback sheet, and they might not be explicitly taught, but they are what truly separate good competitors from great ones.
What Are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are non-technical abilities that influence how we communicate, adapt and work with others. They shape how we approach challenges and lead in real-world situations.
Examples include:
- Adaptability
- Humor
- Professionalism
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Communication
Unlike technical skills, soft skills are transferable across careers and life experiences.
Why Are Soft Skills Important?
Soft skills complement hard skills, which are technical abilities such as coding, financial analysis or writing. While hard skills may get you in the door, soft skills determine how effectively you use them. They allow you to collaborate, think critically under pressure and succeed in team-based and leadership environments.
In today’s competitive world, employers and judges aren’t just looking for what you know; they’re looking at how you apply it.
How Can Soft Skills Help You in DECA?
In DECA role-plays and presentations, soft skills can be a game-changer. They help you explain your ideas clearly, connect with the judge and stay confident under pressure. Strong communication and adaptability enable you to adjust your response in real-time and stand out from other competitors.
Beyond competition, soft skills are essential for leadership. They enable you to inspire others, resolve conflict and create a positive, productive environment, skills that will benefit you long after DECA.
How Can You Develop Soft Skills?
The good news is that soft skills are not something you are born with. Instead, they are skills that can be practiced and improved over time.
- Practice communication intentionally. Participate in class discussions, mock role-plays and presentations. Focus on speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact and organizing your thoughts before responding.
- Step outside your comfort zone. Take on leadership roles, volunteer to lead group projects or compete in new events. Challenging yourself builds confidence, adaptability and problem-solving skills.
- Seek feedback and reflect. After role-plays or presentations, ask judges, advisors or peers for feedback - not just on content, but on delivery, professionalism and confidence. Use this feedback to improve.
- Develop time management habits. Create schedules, set deadlines and prioritize tasks. Being organized reduces stress and allows you to perform better under pressure.
- Observe strong leaders and competitors. Pay attention to how successful speakers communicate, handle setbacks and interact with others. Learning from examples can help you refine your own approach.
- Practice professionalism daily. Show up prepared, dress appropriately and treat others with respect. Small habits build a professional mindset that carries into competitions and careers.
Hard skills may help you qualify, but soft skills help you stand out. By intentionally developing these abilities, you not only enhance your DECA performance but also prepare yourself for leadership, college and future careers.
