Creative brainstorming - Chevening Leadership

Prompt: Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer

Malaysia's IT potential

In 2015, I co-led a team of 300 people to create X-a series of the biggest IT competitions, workshops, and exhibitions in Malaysia. We pledged to create events that are free to ensure inclusivity, and thus fundraising was a fundamental part of our event. At one point, we found ourselves short of money. Although eventually we managed to reach our target, but at that time we had to make several tough choices based on the money we currently had.

The Event and Public Relations divisions were disagreeing over the money that we had left. The Head of Event thought we should use the money to invite a popular band like previously to get people interested. Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations (PR) argued that we should use the money for more paid advertisements because no matter how popular the band is, people wouldn't know that there is an event without any advertisement. The Finance team which was directly under my lead had troubles solving this issue because both of them had valid points.

I believe one of the most important traits of a leader is the ability to handle difficult situations. Thus, I decided I should address the matter immediately as discomforting as it could be for everyone. I gathered all of my direct reports to do a brainstorming session together and asked them to see the big picture: what do we want to achieve? What was our objective? Many people are not aware of Malaysia's IT potentials and we are here to educate them on that. So, we need as many and diverse people as possible to come.

Given our financial limitation, how can we achieve that? I made sure that I acknowledge the Head of Event's and Head of PR's original plans, but I gave each of them a challenge: is there a way to do so while minimizing the cost? For instance, is the online advertisement plan initially proposed truly effective? The Head of PR did further research and it turns out only one social media had a good conversion rate. We decided on a paid advertisement but only for that platform. All of us agreed to rely on our team's own network and media partners and focus on making memorable contents. Meanwhile, I encouraged the Event team to find other ways to attract people and one of us suggested lucky draws. Most people love free stuff and the prizes only cost 1/10 of the cost for the band.

Through the brainstorming session that I initiated, I influenced my team to reframe their perspectives: first, this is not a "me versus them" situation-the money will go to wherever it is needed most. Second, we can use this financial limitation to our advantage. These creative workarounds did work successfully because years later, our event would be remembered for its creative campaigns and the 10.000 participants involved-a significant increase from the previous years.

this is a good example of leadership, but in my opinion, you have to show how did you cooperate with your team member to handle the challenge, and also how did you influence your team with your leadership skills and brainstorming.

I agree with Eleen, this is a good instance of leadership. My issue is that you are part of a leadership group that should be meeting and brainstorming all the time. Why is this instance unique compared to the other times? What is it that you do normally in this organization that this reflects an instance of going above and beyond? Talk about what it is you do and why this moment stands out from the norm. You can add focus on to "additional responsibility" or "maturity." Leadership is more than just handling difficult situations. Many non-leadership roles handle difficult situations that are not necessarily leaders.

I would say cut back on the excessive use of rhetorical questions. One or two is fine but you overwhelm the reader.

Skar, this sounds like a college level leadership that you are trying to make sound like a professional leadership skill. The events you discussed are not demanding enough to prove a viable leadership and influencing skill. The fact that you were a co-leader further lessens the impact of this essay upon the reader and also gives away the fact that you are not being truthful about your leadership presentation. Such events have one team leader, an assistant team leader, a project coordinator, and then staff. Co-leaders are only seen in academic group projects and presentations.

This is not a leadership and influencing essay that will catch the attention of the reviewer. There are too many questions about the reality of your position with regards to the events being depicted. You must figure out how you can present a sole leadership position project on your part where you were in charge of decision making procedures and team management. This essay is not focused enough to prove the point you are trying to make.

Once a reviewer has questions about the truthfulness of your application, expect your application to be placed in the reject pile. There must not be any question about the authenticity of your claims and the validity of your actions. The essay does not have any nation building reference nor community improvement implications for your leadership and influencing skills, so this essay will not qualify for consideration and end your quest for the scholarship.

I think this is a good leadership and influence experience. Nevertheless, I think you should highlight the skill of leadership you have and then connect it with your experience.