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The Ethics of Leadership
Ethical leaders exist in all walks of life. They are the individuals who step forward when crises occur, come to the rescue of others and generally do what's right—no matter what. Anyone can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? In today's high-visibility, social world, more people are taking note of leaders’ behavior and holding them accountable.
DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership
A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.
The Next Level is Inclusion
It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?
Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment
Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.
The Power of the Diamond
Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?
Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture
2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.
Discover Your DECA Leadership Style
There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.
Influence with Informal Leadership
While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.
5 Tips for Your Freshman Year
Entering high school can be a nerve-wracking experience, but remember you're not alone! To help calm your nerves and ensure you start off on the right foot, follow these five tips for your freshman year.
DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program
DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.
Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment
Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.
How to Raise Your Membership to the #NextLevel
As we enter a new year, it's time to get excited about membership recruitment! We know this year is going to look different, so here are some tips for taking your recruitment efforts to the #NextLevel!
Tips on Navigating an Internship
An internship offers valuable lessons that apply to nearly any industry. Whether you’re in tech, marketing or nuclear science, here are a few key takeaways to help you get the most out of the experience.
DECA Welcomes New Partners in Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Please join us in applauding our newest collaborators who are providing realistic insights into business and industry, and promoting meaningful, relevant learning for DECA members.
Get to Know the 2025-2026 Collegiate DECA Executive Officers
During this year's Collegiate DECA ICDC in San Francisco, members elected the leaders who will serve during the 2025-2026 school year. As they gear up for an exciting year ahead, take a moment to learn more about the faces behind the blazers and the stories that brought them here.
How to Track Your Chapter’s Summer Goals Like a Pro
Summer is the perfect time to build momentum for your DECA chapter. Start small, stay organized, check in often and keep your purpose in focus to turn summer goals into real success when school starts.
Ingredients of Successful Chapter Leadership
Successful management for DECA depends on teamwork, roles, motivation, communication, flexibility, planning and leadership. These are the recipes for a successful team that can do incredible things and learn together.
Innovative Advisors Wanted for DECA Advisor of the Week
Help DECA spotlight advisors from across the organization for their creative, original and effective best practices in their classroom and in their chapter.
Helping Your DECA Members Avoid Penalty Points: A Guide for Advisors
As DECA advisors, one of our crucial roles is helping student members navigate the technical requirements of written events. Use this article to guide your student members in avoiding common penalty point deductions.
Stand Out with Gratitude: Why DECA Members Should Embrace Thank-You Notes
Gen Z was a generation raised on texting, DMs and 24/7 connectivity. Sitting down to write a thank-you card might feel outdated or even awkward. But in the professional world, that’s exactly what makes it such a powerful move.
From Idea to CDECA ICDC: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Collegiate DECA Chapter
Starting a Collegiate DECA chapter might seem a lot at first, but with the right plan and the right team, it’ll become an exciting and rewarding journey. You’ll get to lead, compete, grow and build a legacy brand on your campus.
Balancing College and Collegiate DECA: Tips for Success
Being a Collegiate DECA member means pushing yourself to be a leader in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re juggling classes, jobs or leadership roles, staying on track takes strategy. Here are four key ways to balance both and thrive.
Excelling During Freshman Year
Your first year in college will be very different from anything you’ve experienced before, so make sure to enjoy your time and make the most of it. This article gives you some helpful tips for a successful first year of college.
The Summer of DECA Quest
Summer of DECA is ready for takeoff! This digital scavenger hunt is packed with exciting missions and will be updated weekly throughout the summer. From catching sunsets to mapping out your 2025-2026 DECA goals, there's an adventure waiting for everyone.
