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Take Your Community Service to the Next Level with Lead4Change
The Lead4Change Leadership programs offer numerous benefits for students. An independent research study found that participating in Lead4Change contributed to significant growth in areas such as leadership skills (60% of students improved), respect for others (54%) and ambition and innovation (53%). Teachers can have equally transformative experiences.

A Quick Guide to Understanding Servant Leadership
The concept of leadership has been around since the days of Aristotle and Plato and has evolved countless times throughout the centuries. But in 1970, a new theory emerged. Developed by Robert Greenleaf, servant leadership is the idea that empowered leaders serve their followers and to enable them to live and work to their full potential.

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.

How to Host the Ultimate First DECA Meeting: Engage, Excite, Enroll
Your first DECA meeting sets the tone for the year. Start with energy, make leadership personal and get everyone moving. When members feel connected and excited from day one, they'll want to stick around.

Go The Extra with DECA's Membership Recruitment Toolkit
Ready to Go The Extra this recruitment season? We've got you covered with DECA’s Membership Recruitment Toolkit, packed with resources to help your chapter succeed this back-to-school season!

Case Study of the Week: College is Expensive!
Step into the role of a financial advisor meeting with a new client. The client wants you to explain financial responsibilities that should be of concern at this stage in life.

DECA AT&T Project 2024-2025: Impactful Mentorship Opportunities
Through a decade-long collaboration with AT&T, the DECA AT&T Project continues to prepare students for life after high school by providing AT&T mentors and college and career readiness experiences.

Go The Extra with the Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport Program
Go the Extra and stand out through the Leadership Passport Program! The Leadership Passport Program encourages members to plan activities and participate in events that enhance the member experience.

Case Study of the Week: Investing in Smart Carts
Step into the role of the general manager for Valley Grocery, a large grocery store. The owner of the store wants you to analyze the possible economic benefits and risks of investing in new smart shopping carts.

Extra, Extra! Write All About Your DECA Experience
Whether it’s tips and tricks from your first competition experience or an impressive membership recruitment campaign, your DECA experience is worth sharing! Not sure where to start? Discover why you should submit, what to submit and how to submit your DECA story in this article.

Behind the Booth: How to Run an Impactful DECA Recruitment Table
Your DECA recruitment booth is your chapter's initial impression. Learn how to develop a captivating booth, tell your story authentically and turn interest into enrollment. This guide contains the essentials of what exactly works to get prospects to pause, listen and sign up.

Download the 2025-2026 Collegiate DECA Guide
The Collegiate DECA Guide provides all the information you need to have a successful year. Explore our learning programs, check out this year’s calendar, learn about virtual challenges and access competitive event guidelines.

Case Study of the Week: Can Posh be Swag?
Step into the role of the owner of Posh, a luxury portable charger for mobile phones. The director of sales wants you to choose a new sales channel that will increase sales but not damage the brand image.

Prepping for a Record Year: Building Your Chapter’s Calendar with Purpose
If you want to lead your chapter to a record year, you need a calendar that covers competitions, community service, social events and everything in between. Here's how to build one that works.

Go The Extra: The Collegiate DECA Program of Leadership
Your Collegiate DECA Executive Officer team is excited to announce our 2025-2026 Program of Leadership. Focus areas for the Collegiate division include member engagement, member recruitment and leadership development.