Leadership and influence
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.
My role as a practicum coordinator for a semester-long biology course was a transformative experience that enabled me to demonstrate leadership by fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and inspiring others toward shared goals. Tasked with leading a team of 19 laboratory assistants and managing over 250 students, I faced the challenge of ensuring that each practicum session ran smoothly and met the high standards expected by both students and faculty. Through this role, I learned how to lead by example, building an environment of trust, respect, and shared purpose.
One situation that tested my leadership occurred midway through the semester, when the team encountered a difference of opinion on how best to present complex materials. Some assistants favored a traditional approach, while others argued for interactive methods that required more resources and time. Recognizing the potential for division, I initiated an open forum for discussion, allowing each member to voice their perspectives. Through active listening and encouraging constructive debate, I guided the team toward a balanced solution that combined both approaches. By embracing this collaborative problem-solving process, we maintained team cohesion, and our students benefitted from a richer, more engaging practicum experience.
Outside of academia, I also demonstrated leadership as a research intern with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), where I worked alongside senior scientists in molecular biology. Here, I led a team tasked with DNA isolation and sample preparation for middle-scale projects. In a critical situation, our team encountered repeated procedural inconsistencies due to equipment limitations. I proposed a revised workflow that improved precision and efficiency. This adjustment not only resolved the issue but also underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation, qualities that my team and supervisors came to value. This experience emphasized that leadership in a professional context often requires making swift, strategic decisions and guiding a team through unexpected challenges.
A specific instance that further tested my ability to lead under pressure occurred when we faced an unexpected logistical challenge in the practicum's final stages. Our materials arrived late, jeopardizing the practicum's schedule. I quickly organized a streamlined preparation strategy and revised the session schedule to ensure minimal disruption. Although this decision carried some risk, it enabled us to stay on track and ultimately earned positive feedback from professors, assistants, and students. This experience taught me the value of calculated risk-taking and reinforced the importance of staying calm under pressure-qualities that have since become central to my leadership approach.
Through these roles, I have developed adaptability, clear communication, and the ability to inspire collaborative solutions-qualities essential for a future leader. Chevening will provide the platform to further develop these skills and build a professional network that will empower me to bring meaningful, lasting impact to my field and community. I am eager to channel the leadership lessons I've learned into projects that contribute to Indonesia's progress in healthcare and science, aligning with Chevening's mission of fostering future leaders across various sectors.
Sorry, I am using a new account because my previous account was blocked due to my mistake in not carefully reading the rules
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.
My role as a practicum coordinator for a semester-long biology course was a transformative experience that enabled me to demonstrate leadership by fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and inspiring others toward shared goals. Tasked with leading a team of 19 laboratory assistants and managing over 250 students, I faced the challenge of ensuring that each practicum session ran smoothly and met the high standards expected by both students and faculty. Through this role, I learned how to lead by example, building an environment of trust, respect, and shared purpose.
One situation that tested my leadership occurred midway through the semester, when the team encountered a difference of opinion on how best to present complex materials. Some assistants favored a traditional approach, while others argued for interactive methods that required more resources and time. Recognizing the potential for division, I initiated an open forum for discussion, allowing each member to voice their perspectives. Through active listening and encouraging constructive debate, I guided the team toward a balanced solution that combined both approaches. By embracing this collaborative problem-solving process, we maintained team cohesion, and our students benefitted from a richer, more engaging practicum experience.
Outside of academia, I also demonstrated leadership as a research intern with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), where I worked alongside senior scientists in molecular biology. Here, I led a team tasked with DNA isolation and sample preparation for middle-scale projects. In a critical situation, our team encountered repeated procedural inconsistencies due to equipment limitations. I proposed a revised workflow that improved precision and efficiency. This adjustment not only resolved the issue but also underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation, qualities that my team and supervisors came to value. This experience emphasized that leadership in a professional context often requires making swift, strategic decisions and guiding a team through unexpected challenges.
A specific instance that further tested my ability to lead under pressure occurred when we faced an unexpected logistical challenge in the practicum's final stages. Our materials arrived late, jeopardizing the practicum's schedule. I quickly organized a streamlined preparation strategy and revised the session schedule to ensure minimal disruption. Although this decision carried some risk, it enabled us to stay on track and ultimately earned positive feedback from professors, assistants, and students. This experience taught me the value of calculated risk-taking and reinforced the importance of staying calm under pressure-qualities that have since become central to my leadership approach.
Through these roles, I have developed adaptability, clear communication, and the ability to inspire collaborative solutions-qualities essential for a future leader. Chevening will provide the platform to further develop these skills and build a professional network that will empower me to bring meaningful, lasting impact to my field and community. I am eager to channel the leadership lessons I've learned into projects that contribute to Indonesia's progress in healthcare and science, aligning with Chevening's mission of fostering future leaders across various sectors.
Sorry, I am using a new account because my previous account was blocked due to my mistake in not carefully reading the rules