Power of Team Events

Maddie Stang, Central Northern Area Vice President

One of the greatest opportunities FBLA provides is the chance to compete in team events. By building confidence and offering a collaborative experience, team events are a critical part of competitive opportunities.

Speaking from personal experience, it can be intimidating to go into a solo event, especially as an underclassman or first-year member. Having a friend stand by your side can help alleviate those fears.

Team events not only build confidence but also develop important skills needed for future careers. The ability to communicate and collaborate with a group of peers is essential for real-world success. Team events require members to listen, share ideas, and adapt to the strengths of their peers. They teach effective communication through delegating tasks and responsibilities.

Students also learn professionalism and preparedness. Group events emphasize completing designated tasks and discourage procrastination—a word every high school student dreads. What many don’t realize is that procrastination can be the slight difference between success and failure. When others are relying on you, accountability and effort increase. In nearly every career field—business, engineering, healthcare, or technology—projects are team-based. The ability to work with teams is a skill we will need throughout our lives. By practicing this type of collaboration, members gain a competitive edge for future internships, college group projects, and ultimately, the workforce.

Another aspect members refine through team events is leadership. Each group member takes on different roles: leader, researcher, or designer. This allows students to learn how to lead while ensuring that each voice is heard, everyone is treated fairly, and constructive criticism is embraced. Leadership is the culmination of many qualities, and perhaps the most important is the ability to understand and improve yourself through constructive criticism.

Team events were my gateway to FBLA, and they will be the gateway for many new members as well.

- Maddie Stang, Central Northern Area Vice President