Standing out while showing you’re a team player can feel like walking a tightrope. When tackling Wharton MBA essays or applications for any top business school, you’ll face this challenge head-on.
Business schools want leaders who excel individually and bring out the best in others.
Wondering how to strike this balance? This guide helps you showcase your collaborative spirit without diminishing your personal impact.
Why Business Schools Value Collaboration?
Top MBA programs don’t just want brilliant loners. They’re building communities of future business leaders who can:
- Navigate complex team dynamics
- Leverage diverse perspectives
- Create environments where innovation thrives
Research shows collaborative leaders deliver better results. According to McKinsey, companies with diverse leadership teams outperform their peers by 36% in profitability.
The “I” vs. “We” Balance in Your Essays
The trickiest part of writing about teamwork is knowing when to use “I” versus “we.” Here’s a simple framework to help you navigate this:
| When to Use “I” | When to Use “We” |
| Describing your specific role or contribution | Explaining the team’s shared goal |
| Highlighting skills you personally demonstrated | Discussing collaborative processes |
| Sharing what you learned from the experience | Describing collective achievements |
| Explaining how you influenced the team | Acknowledging interdependence |
Remember: Using “we” doesn’t diminish your contribution when you clearly establish your role in the team’s success.
Showcasing Collaborative Leadership
Great collaborative leaders don’t just participate—they elevate the entire team. When writing your essays, look for examples where you:
- Amplified others’ voices: “During our project meetings, I noticed our technical specialist had valuable insights but rarely spoke up. I created a structured feedback process that helped bring these ideas forward.”
- Built bridges: “When our marketing and engineering teams reached an impasse, I organized a workshop that helped both sides understand each other’s constraints.”
- Navigated conflict: Showing how you handled disagreement productively demonstrates emotional intelligence—a trait highly valued in MBA programs.
From Team Experience to Personal Growth
Every collaborative experience teaches you something. Admissions committees want to see this reflection.
Ask yourself: How did this team experience change you? What did you learn about yourself? How will you apply these lessons at business school?
Here’s a strong example: “Working with team members from three different countries forced me to examine my communication style. I realized my direct approach wasn’t effective across cultures, so I developed more adaptable communication skills that I now use daily.”
Concrete Examples Win Every Time
Vague claims that being “a great team player” won’t impress anyone. You need specific stories that show your collaborative mindset in action.
Strong example: “When our team faced a 30% budget cut midway through our project, I suggested reallocating resources based on member strengths rather than equal distribution. This approach allowed us to deliver on critical objectives despite limited funding.”
Weak example: “I’m good at working with others and always support my teammates.”
Testimonials as Powerful Evidence
Sometimes, the most convincing proof of your collaborative approach comes from others. Consider including brief testimonials:
“My manager later told me that my approach to integrating the new team members transformed our department’s culture.”
Owning Your Achievements Within Collaboration
Don’t downplay your achievements in an attempt to seem humble. You can acknowledge individual success within a collaborative context:
“While our team collectively increased sales by 25%, my specific contribution was redesigning our client approach, which directly led to our largest new account.”
The Reflection Test
Before submitting your essay, ask yourself:
- Does this essay show I can both lead and support?
- Have I clearly established my personal contribution?
- Does it demonstrate awareness of how teams function?
- Do I show appreciation for what others brought to the table?
