1. Long term goals and how Mars aligns with it?

My long-term goals revolve around becoming a strategic business leader who

not only drives growth and innovation but also champions responsible and
ethical business practices. I envision myself leading teams and initiatives that
contribute to the global business landscape positively. Mars's core values of
quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom deeply resonate
with me. The company's unwavering commitment to producing high-quality
products and services aligns perfectly with my dedication to excellence. The
emphasis on responsible business practices mirrors my goal of making a
meaningful impact on both the business world and society at large. My
journey with Mars as an intern will provide invaluable support in building my
future career as a leader. The internship will offer hands-on experience within
a dynamic and globally recognized organization, allowing me to observe and
learn from seasoned leaders in action. The opportunity to collaborate with
cross-functional teams will hone my interpersonal skills and enhance my
understanding of how various departments interact to achieve common
goals.

Moreover, the internship will give me the chance to apply theoretical

concepts from my education in real-world scenarios, fostering a practical
understanding of business dynamics. Engaging with Mars's sustainability
initiatives will align with my passion for responsible practices, providing a
platform to contribute meaningfully to ethical business endeavors.

2. What is your approach to building on your existing strengths and how do you
plan on developing the areas in which you are less capable? In your response
please tell us What do you see as your strengths and developing areas? Why
have you identified these specific areas? What have you learned about
yourself from working with others? How can the leadership programme you
are applying for supoort you in order to continue your development?

I firmly believe in a proactive and holistic approach to personal

development. My existing strengths include adaptability, leadership,
and a passion for innovation. To build on these strengths, I plan to
seek out leadership development programs that focus on refining my
leadership style, enhancing communication skills, and embracing
change as a driving force for innovation. Engaging in cross-functional
projects will enable me to collaborate with diverse teams, further
honing my adaptability and leadership capabilities.

On the other hand, I recognize areas such as procrastination, time

management, and overthinking as aspects that need development. To
address these, I intend to attend time management workshops and
seek guidance from mentors to cultivate more efficient habits. I will
consciously delegate tasks to team members, fostering trust and
empowering them. To tackle overthinking, I'll practice mindfulness
techniques and engage in decision-making scenarios that encourage
timely choices based on available information.
My strengths lie in adaptability, showcased by my ability to thrive in
diverse environments, and in leadership, evident from my roles in various
organizations. These strengths have been identified through consistently
taking on leadership roles, adapting to new situations, and leading teams
effectively. Additionally, my passion for innovation has surfaced through
my inclination to explore the stock market and implement creative
solutions in different contexts.

In terms of developing areas, I recognize a need for improvement in

delegation due to occasional hesitancy in sharing responsibilities. Time
management requires refinement to optimize productivity, and
overthinking is an aspect that can be addressed for more efficient
decision-making. These areas have been identified through self-reflection,
feedback from peers and mentors, and my introspective approach to
growth.

Collaborating with others has taught me the value of diverse perspectives.

Engaging with different individuals, each with unique strengths and viewpoints,
has reinforced the importance of open communication and active listening.
Through teamwork, I've learned the significance of effective delegation, as
trusting team members with tasks not only lightens my load but also fosters a
sense of ownership among them. Furthermore, working with others has
underscored the significance of adaptability, as varying team dynamics require
flexibility to achieve common goals.

The leadership programme I am applying for aligns seamlessly with my

personal development goals. Its emphasis on leadership development,
communication skills, and collaborative learning will empower me to
refine my strengths and address my development areas. Engaging with
experienced mentors and industry leaders will provide valuable insights
and guidance for effective leadership, delegation, and decision-making.
Cross-functional projects and teamwork opportunities within the
programme will offer a platform to practice efficient time management,
delegation, and adaptability in real-world scenarios.

In conclusion, my approach to personal development involves capitalizing

on strengths through specialized programs and deliberate practice, while
addressing development areas through focused strategies. The
combination of self-awareness, learning from collaboration, and the
opportunities offered by the leadership programme will synergistically
contribute to my growth as a well-rounded and impactful leader.
Certainly, I can provide an example of a challenging experience when
integrating new team members into an existing project during my time in
college.

Situation: During my college's intercollegiate cultural fest, I was leading

the marketing team responsible for promoting the event. As the event
grew, we needed to bring in new team members to manage the increased
workload. This posed challenges in terms of integrating the newcomers
seamlessly while maintaining the existing team's cohesion.

Challenges and Overcoming Them: The challenges were two-fold.

Firstly, the existing team had established dynamics and ways of working
that the newcomers needed to adapt to. Secondly, the new members
were unfamiliar with the event's intricacies, which impacted their
contributions. To overcome these challenges, I initiated regular team
meetings and one-on-one sessions to foster open communication. I
encouraged both existing and new members to share their experiences
and ideas, allowing us to identify common ground and areas for
improvement.

Ensuring Full Integration: To ensure the newcomers were fully

integrated, I assigned them to sub-teams based on their strengths and
interests. This approach allowed them to collaborate with experienced
members, learn quickly, and contribute effectively. Additionally, I
organized team-building activities that facilitated bonding and familiarity
among all members, helping to bridge the gap between the new and
existing team.

Providing Support: To support the new members, I ensured they had

access to comprehensive onboarding materials, including detailed event
information, timelines, and marketing strategies. I also assigned mentors
from the existing team who could provide guidance, answer questions,
and offer insights into the project's dynamics. Regular feedback sessions
helped new members track their progress and identify areas for further
development.

Learning from the Situation: This experience taught me the

importance of effective communication and collaboration when integrating
new team members. Open discussions about expectations, challenges,
and learning curves enabled us to address concerns proactively. The
process underscored the significance of adapting leadership styles to
accommodate diverse team members, their skills, and their experiences.
Moreover, I realized that providing ongoing support and mentorship
significantly expedited the integration process and improved overall team
performance.

In conclusion, successfully integrating new members into an existing team

requires a combination of clear communication, strategic assignments,
team-building efforts, and continuous support. This experience enhanced
my ability to manage diverse teams, adapt to changing dynamics, and
foster a cohesive and productive working environment.

This internship program holds immense value in shaping my

career trajectory and preparing me for effective leadership roles
in the future. Through this program, I anticipate gaining a
comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, refining
essential leadership skills, and building a robust network of
mentors and industry professionals. The program's experiential
learning approach, exposure to real-world challenges, and
engagement with cross-functional teams will equip me with
practical insights that cannot be gained solely through academic
studies.

In terms of skills required to be effective in leadership, I believe

the following are paramount:

1. Effective Communication: Leaders need to convey their

vision clearly and inspire their team members. Effective
communication fosters collaboration, ensures everyone is
aligned, and encourages open discussions.
2. Adaptability: In today's rapidly changing business
environment, leaders must be adaptable and open to
change. Adapting to new technologies, market shifts, and
evolving strategies is crucial for staying relevant.
3. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and
connecting with team members on a personal level
cultivates trust and mutual respect. Leaders with high
emotional intelligence can navigate complex interpersonal
dynamics effectively.
4. Decision-Making: The ability to make well-informed
decisions, even in high-pressure situations, is a hallmark of
effective leadership. Decisiveness is vital for keeping
projects on track and capitalizing on opportunities.
5. Strategic Thinking: Leaders need to see the bigger picture
and chart a course that aligns with organizational goals.
Strategic thinking involves setting clear objectives and
creating actionable plans to achieve them.
6. Problem-Solving: Addressing challenges and finding
innovative solutions is crucial. Leaders who can analyze
 complex problems and devise creative strategies are
invaluable to their teams.
7. Team Empowerment and Delegation: Effective leaders
empower their team members, delegate tasks wisely, and
trust their team to execute projects efficiently.
8. Resilience: In the face of setbacks and failures, leaders
need to remain resilient and maintain a positive attitude.
Resilience encourages perseverance and fosters a growth
mindset.
9. Continuous Learning: Leaders should be committed to
ongoing learning and self-improvement. Staying updated
with industry trends, emerging technologies, and leadership
methodologies is essential.
10. Ethical Leadership: Ethical decision-making and
integrity are fundamental to gaining the trust and respect of
team members and stakeholders alike.

This internship program will enhance these skills by exposing me

to real-world challenges, providing opportunities for hands-on
learning, and enabling interactions with industry experts.
Engaging in cross-functional projects and collaborating with
diverse teams will further strengthen my adaptability,
communication, and problem-solving abilities. Moreover,
mentorship from experienced leaders within the program will offer
insights and guidance crucial for effective leadership.

In summary, this internship program will not only bridge the gap
between theory and practice but also equip me with the skills
needed to excel as a future leader. It will serve as a pivotal
stepping stone in my career journey, providing the knowledge,
experiences, and network necessary to thrive in leadership roles
and contribute meaningfully to the business world.