drucker_fan wrote:
Paul,
thanks for replying. I'll incorporate your ideas into my essays. I'll try to incorporate 'leadership' examples and also work on the multicultural angle. Is it ok if I show leadership experience outside my work, such as leading hiking trips and so on? The problem is that in my current job, chances to show leadership skills are very limited.
I've often read/heard that Indian software/IT types write cookie-cutter, standard essays. As a result, their personality doesn't shine through (or even appear) in the essays. What do you think about this? Should I make my essays personal, i.e. how I made a decision, instead of how I carried out a decision? The difference is that the 1st gives the adcom a sense of how I think, while the 2nd reads like I'm rehashing my resume. I guess the short question is, should I focus on thoughts or actions?
After your answer and reading more about Wharton West's program, I decided not to apply there. Without formal management experience, my shots are low, and the program isn't a good fit for me.
I think you're doing an enormous service by helping us out in these forums. I also found your link 'Advice to older applicants' helpful.
Thanks,
DF
DF,
The hiking leadership essay might work though it's not as impressive as leadership in work or leadership in a volunteer situation where the environment parallels the work environment. Hopefully, the hiking story will not be the only leadership story you have. They see a lot of those kinds of stories and unless the leadership you displayed while hiking was quite dramatic (saving, rescuing, etc.) it may not be as strong as you:d like.
As for thoughts vs. actions, you need to include the "actions" to show the context and outcome of your leadership--to show that your leadership actually involve real people, real situations, and real outcomes. Your thoughts are of course important, but not as much as what they compel you to do. "Actions" should also include the specific steps and tactics you take to lead people. The way you can stand out is by *how* you describe your actions--the amount of personality you express in your description, including of course how you feel about the situation you:re describing. But actions should still take precedence over thoughts.
Good luck,
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09 Jan 2007, 13:43
Anything specifc that you could sugget ?? 
