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.
5 Business and Leadership Books That Should Be on Your List
Throughout my academic career, I have found that a good book is hard to beat. I can honestly say that certain books have even changed my life—everything from basic tasks such as how I make my bed, to greater things like the way I think and process information.
Watch Now: Executive Mentor Roundtable on De-stressing
Check out DECA’s Executive Mentor Roundtable on “De-stressing." Two executives share how stress—good and bad—plays a role in their everyday lives and offer tips and tricks to help you manage your stress in your personal and professional life.
5 Gears for a Healthy Lifestyle
Let's face it: being an emerging leader is not easy! We’re supposed to get good grades, be involved in our community, excel in extracurriculars and gain job experience. So, how can we manage it all? Read on the learn about the Five Gears!
DECA Direct Magazine: De-stress
Between school, volunteering, extracurricular activities and DECA, there’s never a shortage of things to do! Learn how to hit pause, slow down and discover the best ways to manage your stress.
5 Apps to Ease Your Stress
Looking to beat bad stress? Rather than endlessly scrolling through Instagram or stress-shopping on Amazon, turn to these apps to breathe, play and move your way to less stress!
Build Better Habits (and Break Your Bad Ones!)
Having the right habits is more important than ever as you navigate a busy school year. Read on to learn how you can create better habits in any area of your life, plus our tips and tricks for getting rid of your bad habits for good!
Mindfulness Your Way
You may have heard about mindfulness in one of your classes, and perhaps you’ve even tried meditating a time or two. For many people, meditation and other mindfulness practices are a go-to source for stress relief, getting in the zone before a role-play or resetting emotions after encountering an upsetting situation.
De-stress for Success
Life will always throw challenges your way, but the biggest challenges present opportunities for the greatest rewards. So, what’s the best way to manage stress? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some of the ways that work best for me.
Work Out the Stress
Today’s teens pack a lot into their busy schedules, which has caused stress levels and anxiety to increase in recent years. D’Andre Vasquez, DECA’s 2019-2020 High School Division President, discusses how he handles the stress in his life and how you can too!
How to Fight Off Zoom Fatigue
Whether it’s trying to combat Zoom fatigue or attempting to deal with the strain and stress that comes from staring at a screen all day, here are three tips to help you de-stress in an age of virtual living.
5 Tips to Take Your Productivity to the #NextLevel
Schoolwork, volunteering, extracurricular activities, DECA... can you really do it all without endless all-nighters? We think so! Check out five of our favorite ways to level-up your schedules, to-do lists and priorities for peak productivity.
Good Stress, Bad Stress: Find Your Sweet Spot
We all experience stress on a daily basis, but the amount we experience depends on how well we cope with the various stressors in our lives. Here are a few tips to help you identify good versus bad stress and find the perfect balance.
