Leadership
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5 Things I Learned as an Association Officer Outside the Classroom
Beyond the metrics and milestones, my greatest takeaways have been the lessons I learned along the way. Here are the five things that I definitely learned in DECA outside of the classroom.

Resolutions to Results: How to Set and Achieve Goals
Resolutions are long-term goals that require planning, habits, positive and realistic thinking. In this article, you will learn how to set and achieve your personal goals to become your ideal version of yourself SMARTly!

Soft Skills: The Skills that Set You Apart
Every successful DECA member has one thing in common: strong soft skills. You may not see them listed on a role-play feedback sheet, but they are what truly separate good competitors from great ones.

New Year, New Me: Crafting Your 2026 Personal Brand
The start of the new year is a great opportunity to shape your personal brand. Here are a few tips on how to start the year off on a strong note.

Where Commitment Meets Leadership: Inside Association Office
Association officers play a huge role in shaping the DECA experience for members by supporting initiatives and representing DECA with professionalism and heart. Let’s take a closer look at what being in association office is really like!

DECA Teaches You How to Win—And How to Lose
Winning earns trophies. Learning earns leadership. DECA’s real lessons happen offstage, through collaboration, resilience and initiative, and they shape the students who make the biggest impact.

New Year, New Momentum: Setting Goals That Actually Stick
When you set intentional goals, your time, energy and effort begin to align. Every early morning, late night and moment of preparation has meaning because it’s connected to something bigger than the task at hand.

It’s Your Turn to Lead: Run for Executive Office
Executive Office is an opportunity to give back to our organization while expanding your journey as an emerging leader. Here’s why you should consider running for Executive Office.

Why Human Connection Still Matters in a Digital Business World
In a world that is constantly evolving, the ability to connect with others will always remain a competitive advantage. Understanding the value of relationships is just as important as mastering technical skills.

Stage Presence in Business: Turning Public Speaking into a Competitive Edge
Public speaking isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a professional advantage. In DECA, where ideas are evaluated on clarity, confidence and delivery, the way you communicate can be just as important as what you communicate.

Blooming into the Holiday Season: Nurturing Your Mind When the World Gets Busy
Feeling overwhelmed this holiday season? Discover how to bloom amid the chaos, lift your mood and nurture your mind with simple, powerful tips to stay calm, connected and energized when the world feels too busy.

The Art of Failing
Failing is always an important step in your DECA journey. Failing is a great way to reflect and adapt to circumstances that might require you to change your way of thinking.

4 Skills for Effective Teamwork
If you are athletic and grew up playing a lot of organized sports, or if you were involved in your school’s student council or theater productions, you already may be very familiar with group dynamics and working on a team; however, if you didn’t, working on a team may be somewhat new to you.


