Scholarship / Education and business - Chevening Leadership Essay [2]

Hi, please kindly give me feedback on this essay. The maximum number of words of this essay is 300 words. I should answer the following question in this essay:

Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership. In your answer, please address the following:
- What was the context or challenge you faced?
- What specific actions did you take as a leader?
- What was the outcome, and what did you learn?
- How has this experience shaped your approach to leadership?

Thanks!

I've been developing and leading impactful education and business for 10 years. After graduating, I co-founded a waste management business and eventually merged with friends with shared visions, who just co-founded a holistic Islamic boarding school (XXX). The numbers of students and teachers have grown from only around 30 and dozens in 2015 to approximately 500 students and 180 teachers now. Not just an ordinary school, we're developing an education-centred area with focus in leadership, noble character, health, and environment. From only less than 1 hectare, currently we manage almost 9 hectares.

Around 2022, we evaluated that the students' leadership skills needed improvement. As the Head of Students Affair, I established programs for building leadership. These include trainings, coaching, etc. Through evaluation, the result showed significant improvement in the students' leadership, proven by improving organizational skills, better execution and mindset. We also support the students to achieve as high as possible. In 2024, with only around 400 students, we reached 252 achievements in various fields such as science, sport, etc.

To support scholarship for the poor students and embark entrepreneurship, we built business unit, called YYY in 2017 which I've led from the start. YYY focuses in non-ultra processed food (UPF) fish-based products for children, due to our concern about UPF intake among children in Indonesia, reaching 45% of total calories consumption. UPF is known to cause many health problems. We empower local people; we grow from only 2 workers in 2017 to currently more than 50. Our revenue increased almost 700% from 2020 to 2024. Since 2022, we've become strategic partner of Bank Indonesia in the integrated food ecosystem, aiming to control inflation. Currently, our products are distributed in more than 15 big cities in Indonesia and also accepted by modern trade e.g. Lotte Mart.

Scholarship / My Networking Story From Frozen Logistics to Fresh Water Solutions - Chevening Networking Essay [2]

Hi, this is my next essay and related to the previous one, but different topic. The maximum number of words of this essay is 300 words. I should answer the following question in this essay:

Relationship building and influence
Tell us about a professional relationship you have built and maintained. In your answer, please address:
·How was the relationship formed, and what made it important?
·What did you contribute to this relationship, and what did you gain?
·How have you sustained or developed this relationship over time?
·How will these skills help you build connections within the Chevening community and beyond?

Please note, anything mentioned inside this bracket [...] will not be shown in the real essay.

Thanks! :)

My colleagues often say that I have incredible networks. They say I'm brave and have the courage to get to know new people, build and maintain relationship. As an entrepreneur, I believe that networking is mandatory and the basic principle of networking is "take and give".

One of the cases is my relationship with CEO of ZZZ, Indonesia's logistic company specializing in frozen stuffs. Initially YYY [my business] was his customers. In 2024, I tried to reach out to him personally since we were in the same WhatsApp group. We've done several collaborations, such as him being a speaker in Leaders Visit, a program in XXX [the school I've been developing] where the final students meet several leaders to strengthen leadership and entrepreneurship mindset. Over time, I learned that he wanted to improve his marketing process so I helped him by introducing him to a trusted marketing agency, and he was very happy about that.

I also formed a relationship with the President of Industrial Engineering Alumni Association, AAA University (AAA). I met her in an alumni event where she presented the progresses and challenges in AAA. Without doubt, I offered her myself to handle a program to solve some challenges. I believe that 'giving' will lead to many good things. Eventually, perhaps she was happy with my work, she connected me with more valuable networks. When XXX tried to solve fresh water problem in the boarding school, she connected us to BBB Foundation that can help with funding and technology. She keeps on helping us through her connection because she is really satisfied how I develop and maintain the relationships.

With my courage, I believe I can build many mutual relationships while studying in the UK. With my 'take and give' principle, I'm confident the relationships will last and give benefits to many people.

Scholarship / Chevening Leadership Essay - Crisis in Business [2]

Hi, I made a brand new essay (totally different) based on a review in my other thread here. Please kindly give feedbacks again on this essay.

This is the prompt from Chevening:
Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership. In your answer, please address the following:
- What was the context or challenge you faced?
- What specific actions did you take as a leader?
- What was the outcome, and what did you learn?
- How has this experience shaped your approach to leadership?

Thanks!

In 2017, I cofounded YYY, a non-ultra processed food (UPF) fish-based products business dedicated for children. It is not just about ordinary food, but also our movement due to concern about UPF intake among children in Indonesia, reaching 45% of total calorie consumption. UPF is known to cause many health problems, like increasing the risk of cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Starting with only two workers, we grew into a company employing more than 50 people, empowering local families with jobs, with products distributed in over 15 cities and recognized as a strategic partner of Bank Indonesia.

In early 2025, after years of steady growth, we faced a sudden financial loss. The team was confused, and I had to bring clarity and hope. As the leader, I took the initiative to analyzed financial reports and inspected processes comprehensively. I found inefficiencies in marketing and consulted mentors who excel in marketing. After several discussions, I created a recovery plan, mentored my marketing manager for stronger leadership, and worked with the team to execute changes. I motivated them not only with words but by asking reflective questions in meetings that built affirmation, sense of belonging, and empowered them. Within months, we reduced more than 83% of the costs and increased revenue by 50%, saving workers' livelihoods and children's access to healthier food.

Through this process, I learned how to lead a team during a crisis, how to connect more with mentors, and how to coach leaders. Growing from 2017, I also learned the difference to manage a small team compared to a bigger one. I realized that to achieve higher, we should be a superteam, not a superman. True leaders prepare the next leaders. This understanding changed me from direct managing to growing people, culture building, and sharing vision.