Building a Winning Pit Crew: Leading a Strong Chapter Officer Team

When I started a DECA chapter, I quickly realized that no one can do it alone. Between school, work, and internships, there are times when it feels like I barely have time to finish my own assignments, let alone run a chapter. Having a strong officer team makes all the difference. As Chapter President, I built the chapter’s first officer team from scratch and tried a lot of different approaches; some worked, some didn’t. Through trial and error, I’ve discovered a few key values that form the foundation of a strong officer team.

Communication & Consistency

Strong communication keeps an officer team motivated, especially with everyone’s busy schedules. Regular check-ins, meetings, and updates help coordinate tasks and ensure nothing is overlooked. Consistency is just as important as frequency. Having a standing meeting, even if the team can’t meet that day, creates structure and accountability. Simply having it on the calendar makes it more likely to be rescheduled or completed later. A study by MIT found that effective team meetings can boost productivity by up to 20%. Consistent collaboration keeps everyone informed, motivated, and on track to achieving the chapter goals.

Building Trust and Support

Trust is the foundation of a strong officer team. Officers need to know they can rely on each other and be willing to step in when someone is overloaded. This could mean taking over a project, attending a meeting, or helping finish a task when a teammate has another commitment. It’s a full-circle relationship, you get out of it what you put in. 

Clear Roles & Shared Responsibility

Defining roles ensures everyone knows their responsibilities and how they contribute to the chapter’s vision. Peighton Harak, Collegiate DECA Vice President, emphasizes the importance of alignment: “A strong officer team is made up of individuals who are open to new ideas and are willing to put in the time and effort to see their plans succeed. Teams also work more efficiently if they know what their goals are early on.” While each officer has specific tasks, having a shared vision keeps everyone focused and motivates the team to work together toward the chapter’s goals.

Leadership Beyond Titles

While clear roles are important, it’s just as important not to get hung up on titles. Leadership is about showing up, taking initiative, and supporting your team. It also means making decisions that are best for the chapter, even if they aren’t easy. Officers who lead by example motivate the whole team to take ownership of the chapter’s success and invest in its shared goals.

Celebrate Successes Together 

Take the time to recognize your teammates and celebrate their successes. A simple “great job” or acknowledgment of their work can go a long way. When people feel valued and appreciated, it boosts motivation and helps create a positive team environment. As I mentioned before, a team is a full-circle relationship, the support and energy you give to others will eventually come back to you. 

Written by Vice President - Nelli McLeod