In the leadership or reflection focused essays for your MBA application, it’s easy to fall into the trap of proving your strengths by being critical of others. Consider these REAL examples from applicant essays:
Example 1: My father’s career choices and their consequences on the family have to a significant extent shaped my decision-making process. Though academically successful, he made choices I believe caused financial strain for our family. I’ve always been determined not to repeat his mistakes.”
Example 2: I once worked under a manager who fostered a toxic work environment, making us stay late, offering no guidance on projects, and frequently blaming the team for any issues.
Example 3: My parents, owing to our financial challenges, often imposed their ambitions on me.
Leadership and reflection essays are meant to show self-awareness and it’s a great idea to highlight your vulnerabilities and authenticity. However, why do this at the cost of putting other people down? What are the risks in doing so?
By being critical of others and focussing on their flaws, you reveal more about your perceptions and judgments about people, which may not always be objective or unbiased. Making a negative statement about another person reflects poorly upon your ability to process information, understand other people’s circumstances and build relationship with them. Negative commentary can give the impression that you lack empathy or the ability to manage difficult relationships. Business schools look for candidates who can contribute positively to a collaborative environment, and focusing on others’ shortcomings may raise concerns about your ability to do so.
Even if negative experiences have impacted you, it’s unnecessary to dwell on others’ faults. Instead, shift your focus to how you handled difficult circumstances and what you learned from them, which helped in your own growth. For instance, rather than blaming your father, you could explain how you proactively helped mitigate financial challenges, perhaps by supporting yourself early on. Similarly, instead of criticizing your manager, you could describe how you addressed the situation tactfully, suggesting ways to improve team performance and fostering a better work environment. This approach highlights your maturity, resilience, and interpersonal skills, such as empathy and collaboration.
Moreover, its up to you to select the right essay stories from your life in the leadership or reflection focused essays for your MBA Applications. You don’t have to narrate stories that put others down just to elevate yourself. Instead, focus on how you overcame challenges with a positive, growth-oriented mindset, which will resonate far more with admissions committees.