The chevening program will shape me to be a better leader

Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers

the opportunity to enhance my skills

My mother always emphasized the importance of education of the female population and how teachers should equally assign female students to leadership positions. I grew up with this mentality and I took up leadership roles as early as age 6 in primary School where I was class governor.

Upon graduation from the University, I got a job as a Customer Service Officer in a leading bank. In 2014, a customer satisfaction survey was conducted and the result showed that the major dissatisfaction drive was the inability of customers to contact the bank to have their complaints, enquiries and requests resolved. Therefore, the need to reach out to customers via other channels was identified. I came up with the Live Chat and Social Media support options, submitted the proposal to my boss who presented it to Management. My initiative was implemented and i was assigned the task to create a team for this. I selected a few consultants who were social media savvy by performing mock chats to determine readiness to move to customer support, designed chat scripts, Analysed and reported social media actions on a weekly basis.

By January 2015, another survey was conducted, there was a 51% increase in customer satisfaction compared to the previous year . I was promoted and I currently lead the Social Media team which consists of ten consultants. This role was assigned to me based on my expertise, ability to motivate people as well as my sense of ownership and responsibility. I conduct targeted group coaching sessions and ensure the consultants meet pre-established performance standards. The social customer support team is currently ranked as one of the best in all Nigerian banks based on response time, quality interactions and first contact resolution.

Earlier this year, I became a member of a Non-Profit organization called the xxx with the aim of providing the less privileged Children with the basics of Livelihood. The last project which took place in July focused on deworming children in a rural town in Oyo state. My job function involved soliciting sponsorship and funding for the project. However, the execution of this project required medical professionals to administer the drugs. Based on my ability to influence others, I was able to persuade some medical doctors at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan and we had 10 medical doctors and pharmacists who volunteered to assist with the project. The program was a success as we dewormed over 300 children.

The chevening program will give me the opportunity to enhance my leadership skills and also collaborate with other influencers from different parts of the world thus shapening me to achieve my future goals.

Lauretta, your essay is strongest when it focuses on the presentation of the development of your leadership and influencing skills. That is good because the concentration of the Chevening leadership essay is your professional ability instead of your socio-civic ability. So, while your membership in the socio-civic organization is admirable, it does not fall under the required professional parameters and should be removed from the presentation. Additionally, the reference to your mother at the start of the essay is misplaced. While I can understand how she might have influenced your mindset, the reference to her does not have a direct professional connection to your work. Therefore, it is only word filler and wastes the time of the reviewer. Specially since it is at the start of the essay, where you should instead, be reeling in the reviewer with a strong hook. Something that is best accomplished by your paragraph 2. Open with the 2nd paragraph instead for maximum impact. Expand upon your influencing skills in these instances because that is the sometimes missing or weak element in the overall presentation. That should have the equal exposure in the essay on the same level as your leadership abilities. The fact that the early role you played as a CSO resulted in a promotion to a leadership position on your part is what makes it a strong hook in the essay and also, clearly defines your leadership style and early abilities. Once you refocus the essay on the strongest points for presentation, everything else will fall into place for your leadership and influencing discussion.