What I Learned From Leading Q+

Written by: Daniel

Being co-chair of Q+ last year was one of the most rewarding leadership experiences I’ve had at Queen’s. It was like a crash course in planning, problem-solving, and learning to trust my team. No matter how much we prepared, things still went wrong, and I had to be okay with that! Looking back, I can see how much I grew as a leader, and I wanted to share a few lessons that stuck with me.

1. Clear communication and delegation are everything

From the start, I knew my role wasn’t to handle every detail myself, but to guide my team so they could confidently take ownership of their work. I aimed to provide direction, not micromanage. I wanted each team member to feel empowered to complete their tasks in a way that played to their strengths, while ensuring we all stayed aligned on the bigger picture. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to delegate effectively. It wasn’t only about handing off tasks, but about making sure every portfolio had a clear vision of what they were working on and the confidence to take ownership of it. I made it a priority to keep communication open so that everyone was aligned, but I also trusted them to execute their work in a way that played to their strengths. Looking back, that trust paid off in ways I hadn’t expected.

2. No matter how much you prepare, some things will still go wrong

We started planning early on, knowing that an event of this scale required a lot of lead time. Despite all of our preparation, there were still plenty of things that had to be handled at the last minute - that’s just how big events go. I learned pretty quickly that you can’t expect everything to run perfectly, and the best thing you can do as a leader is to stay calm and adaptable. Whether it was last-minute scheduling conflicts, technical difficulties, or unexpected catering hiccups, there was always something that needed to be fixed on the fly. The most important thing I did in those moments was to focus on solutions instead of stressing about what went wrong. That mindset made a huge difference in keeping our team motivated and making sure the event still ran smoothly.

3. Managing logistics

One of the biggest challenges was handling catering and scheduling. Coordinating catering was trickier than I expected - ensuring food arrived on time, making sure dietary restrictions were met, and dealing with last-minute changes required constant attention. On top of that, managing delegate attendance was an ongoing challenge. Some people had schedule conflicts, others couldn’t participate in the case competition, and we had to adjust plans to accommodate as many people as possible. These moving parts added a layer of complexity that I didn’t fully appreciate until I was in the middle of it.

4. People remember the experience, not the chaos behind the scenes

Despite the behind-the-scenes stress, the feedback we received after the event made it all worth it. Attendees told us they loved the food, the speakers, and how smoothly the day ran. No one saw the last-minute pivot or the late-night problem-solving that almost derailed parts of the event. They only saw the final product, and that’s what mattered most. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about having a completely flawless plan from the start. It’s about how you adapt when things don’t go as expected, and how you make sure your team feels confident in their work, even when things get messy.

5. The best leadership lets people shine

One thing I was intentional about throughout the process was making sure every portfolio had the space to showcase its strengths. I didn’t want Q+ to feel like a project where only a few voices mattered - it was a full team effort from start to finish. Seeing everyone’s contributions come together to create something meaningful was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about being in control of everything. It’s about working with the right people, trusting them, and making sure they feel valued. When that happens, the results speak for themselves!

Looking back, I wouldn’t change much (except maybe stressing a little less about catering). The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone, forced me to become more adaptable, and ultimately made me a better leader. I’m grateful for everything I learned along the way!