MBA Admissions Blog by ApexWriters

You have substantial work experience, you have influenced decision making process in your firm and you have progressed well in your career. Now, you want to refine your leadership skills to prepare for more impactful/senior roles and undertake a specialized program. This program suits some better than it does others; thus, ensure that you have done your research about the program. Now, you need to convey the same to the AdCom – how are you convinced that this 11 month program with components like research project and international assignments is going to help your career aspirations? Apart from this, you are expected to clearly write about your regular short and long range goals and why do you think a break in your career necessary to fulfill your goals.

Talk about the qualities that you believe a leader should possess and give reasons for the same. Remember that everyone may follow a different definition of leadership. You have to write an example demonstrating each of these values. You may talk about how you have experienced that these values/qualities have benefited the team’s goals, higher management’s vision or company’s footing in the market.

You are probably already handling leadership roles, project-based or people-based, in your domain, however, the adcom would be interested to know how you perform in a team setting. If you have not been a people leader, you can focus on the coordination and collaboration parts. At business school, you will be a part of team of equals. Talk about the experience where you were one among the team members and contributed to the team’s success. Talk about the team composition, goals, qualities that were critical for success and the result achieved.

Leadership roles sometimes require you to take tough decisions. A typical instance is when you have to reduce the team size to remain profitable. This is about how you make decisions and handle criticism. Talk about your thought process while making decisions – do you perform your due diligence, take a firm stand and take responsibility for your decisions? Next, if things do not go the way planned and people criticize your decision making, how you use your interpersonal skills and amicably handle the situation. You may then talk about the outcome and its affect.