What characterizes DECA's approach to leadership development?

DECA's approach to leadership development is characterized by the encouragement of teamwork and collective projects. This focus reflects the organization’s commitment to developing not only individual leadership skills but also collaborative skills that are crucial in both school and professional environments. By involving participants in group projects, DECA fosters the importance of working together to achieve common goals, promoting communication, problem-solving, and the ability to appreciate diverse perspectives. This collaborative environment prepares members to function effectively in team-oriented settings, which is a vital competency in today's workplace.

The other options do not accurately represent DECA's emphasis. A strong focus on independent work and assessments emphasizes individual achievement without highlighting the collaborative aspects that DECA values. An emphasis on passive learning techniques contradicts the active, engaging learning methods typically used in DECA, such as competitions and hands-on projects. Lastly, exclusive mentoring from business professionals suggests a one-on-one approach that overlooks the benefits of learning from peers within a collaborative framework. Thus, the best representation of DECA's leadership development approach is through teamwork and collective projects.