First Section: The applicant starts with an interesting experience of working with two contrasting experiences. One working for a CEO, who was bold and took on the competitors with zest, and the other who kept a low-profile but worked on the fundamentals and the strategic goals. The difference in outcome is cited as a motivation for leadership development.

Second Section: Stanford’s leadership courses, labs and the unique skills of recognizing intention is mentioned as vital for making deals.

In the first example, we look at an applicant who had a debilitating fear of pathogens. His mother tried to change his perspective through operational knowledge of germs, bacteria, and virus. The presentation made the case worse. Camping - a uniquely American experience is used as the backdrop in narrating how the applicant overcame his hypochondriac tendencies and learned to apply a new mantra when the day to day challenges are overwhelming.

In the second example, we look at an applicant - a Venture Capital professional,  who was raised in a military family where the chain of commands, and “yes-no sir” were music to ears. The command over the room and body language play an equal role in the person’s family as the courage to sign up for combat. The exchange program to Kenya is the backdrop for this narrative. A quiet weekend with friends turns into one of the most memorable life events, breaking assumptions, and a chance to acquire a new value.

Q) Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and are vital to providing you with a range of experiential learning and individual development experiences.

In this example, we look at an engineer, who has worked in a transformative phase of the automotive industry and realized that the change in expectations of customers, who are exposed to Tesla’s software updates schedules and iterative improvements, would soon lead the incumbents out of business if they don’t redesign the supply chain.

In this example, we witness the journey of a growth marketer who found tremendous success early in his career by helping a start-up achieve its first growth milestone ($100M revenue). The experience of contributing both on the creative and analytic side of marketing is cited to demonstrate the candidate’s unique skill and mindset. The only doubt in his impressive career is sprinkled into the narrative while meeting the product manager.

In the first example, we narrate the example of a candidate who is leading a dysfunctional high-performing team. As the third team lead to manage the complex dynamics and motivation of the team, the candidate felt the pressure to get things right. Through informal listening sessions, the candidate’s first attempt at leadership began. Understanding the ambition and creative aspirations helped the candidate turn around the team from warring factions to a cohesive team motivated to help the smartphone giant regain its lost glory.

In the second example, we look at the example of a candidate who was part of a four-nationality team for an online flight booking giant. With a universal customer booking form that worked for customers of all nationalities, the unique problem of ‘Dutch’ customers habitually using nicknames, became an identification nightmare for the airport authorities. The narrative demonstrates how the team’s diverse cultural exposure helped them find a permanent solution for a pressing problem.

In this example, we cite the example of a consultant working for the government of India to decode the high open defecation. Applying complex data models, the candidate and his team came up with a formula that involved attacking the problem in three areas – infrastructure, awareness, and project allocation. The extensive study and analysis led to the recommendation to prioritize an infrastructure-driven solution. However, the candidate failed to decode the complexity of Indian culture and their deeply held beliefs.

In this example, we look at the fictitious profile of a Medical Doctor, who wants to be at the helm of real-change – Investment. A multi-faceted individual, who found impact in every engagement he participated as a Medical Doctor to Strategist, is finally seeking one of the most ambitious career transitions – to switch from someone serving the patients to leading investments in a value-based healthcare system.

In this example, we look at the fictitious profile of a Program Manager, who has five years serving in a US-based international aid organization that serves in resolving issues in global hunger, disease-control, extremism, and climate change. The impetus to change the career path from Government to Technology happened in 2017 while serving as the primary point of contact for a technology firm that was integrating technology in the organization’s fund allocation, beneficiary tracking, and project implementation.

In the second example, we describe the journey of a Management Consultant, who felt his soul leaving his body while performing for a 200-strong audience at Second city – the improvisational theatre group.

INSEAD MBA Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words) *

Some motivations to switching from one job function to another could happen in the midst of a high-stakes project.

For this Sample Essay, we use a profile of a Private Equity Analyst who found her interest in operations while wandering into a Coffee shop.

Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250 words)

Based on the 9 leadership qualities we have highlighted, you can find the one person who had the most impact in your life, someone who has inspired you or changed the trajectory of your life.

The first example is from a Technologist who looks at problems uniquely. This ability to see details others are missing led him to roles that require considerable planning.

Leadership became a natural extension of this skill.

For the in-class and out-of-class learning experience, the applicant’s curiosity and leadership are captured as the foundation on which all his accomplishments began.