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.
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.
