Becoming a Leader: Building Confidence Through Action
Written By:
Nina Dahlblom
Written by Nina Dahlblom
On a spring afternoon in Texas, while many high school students are still figuring out who they want to become, 17-year-old Miisa Peltola is already learning how to lead—by doing.
It’s a confidence she hasn’t inherited or been handed. It has been built over time, shaped by experience, and tested in real situations. And it has taken form not in one place, but across continents.
Born in Helsinki, Miisa moved to Beijing before her first birthday. By the age of four, she was living in California’s Bay Area. At nine, her family settled in Texas, where she now attends Wakeland High School in Frisco. What could have been a fragmented upbringing instead became something else entirely: a foundation for adaptability, perspective, and initiative.
“Finnishness is a part of who I am,” she says. “Even though I live in an American culture, Finland is present in my life every day.”
At home, she speaks Finnish. She follows events in Finland closely. Her extended family remains there, grounding her in a cultural continuity that stretches far beyond geography. Yet when conversations begin, she naturally takes the lead in English—effortlessly navigating between worlds.
That duality—rooted yet adaptable—has become one of her defining strengths.
Building identity through community
For Miisa, identity has never been passive. It is something she builds—and shares.
She recalls attending Finnish school as a child and later returning as a volunteer teaching assistant in Texas. There, she helped younger students learn the Finnish language, traditions, and literature.
“And of course, we talked about Santa Claus,” she adds with a smile.
Her involvement in the Finnish community in the United States became more than cultural participation—it became leadership. At school, when students were encouraged to present their cultural backgrounds, Miisa proudly introduced Finland at the School’s Heritage Night, even bringing traditional Karelian pies for others to experience.
“I’m proud of my Finnish background,” she says. “It’s something I want to share.”
From uncertainty to direction
Like many students her age, Miisa approaches the question of college with both curiosity and seriousness. She has already visited campuses across multiple states—from Oklahoma to Arkansas, where her sister studies, to University of Texas at Austin.
“I’ve thought a lot about what kind of environment suits me,” she explains. “The academics matter, of course—but also the people, the energy, and whether it feels like a place where I belong.”
For her, choosing a university is not just a decision—it is a commitment. One that requires reflection, effort, and intention.
Earlier this year, Miisa scored a 34 on the ACT, placing her among the top test-takers nationally. But for her, the result reflects something deeper than performance alone. Recognizing early on the importance of strong communication skills, she made a conscious effort to improve—reading widely in her free time and steadily building confidence in English. At the same time, she approached her weaker areas with equal discipline, dedicating months of focused preparation to math and science.
For Miisa, progress is intentional. It is something she plans, works toward, and takes ownership of—one step at a time.
Finding her path in business
That sense of direction became clearer when she joined DECA Inc., a global organization preparing students for careers in business and leadership.
“At first, I wasn’t completely sure,” she admits. “But once I joined DECA, I knew—this is what I want to pursue.”
What began as a search for community quickly evolved into something more. She found friends, confidence, and a platform to challenge herself. By her second year, she had become an officer in her school’s chapter – one of just ten student leaders among 300 members.
In this role, Miisa does more than compete. She mentors others.
She helps students build presentations, refine their communication, and prepare for competitions. At the same time, she competes herself—completing rigorous marketing exams and pitching business cases to judges.
“The presentations evolve with every round,” she explains. “You learn to think clearly, communicate effectively, and improve constantly.”
That growth has taken her far. After advancing through regional and state-level competitions, Miisa earned a place at the international level—an achievement she had set her sights on from the beginning.
“At first, presenting was intimidating,” she says. “Now, it feels natural. I know how to explain ideas clearly and in a way that engages people.” She is ready for the international competition in Atlanta.
Leadership, in action
What stands out most is not just her ambition—but her approach to leadership.
Miisa speaks with genuine respect about the mentors and leaders she has encountered through DECA. Their example has shaped her understanding of what leadership can be: confident, driven, and rooted in helping others succeed.
“It’s not something you can take for granted,” she reflects. “Inspiring environment changes how you see yourself—and what you believe is possible.”
She has already begun applying those lessons beyond school. As a part-time marketing assistant at A-CX, a boutique firm working with AI and cloud technologies, she has worked on global social media campaigns, analyzing performance and optimizing visibility.
She also sees technology as an opportunity rather than a threat.
“Used thoughtfully, AI can open new career paths,” she says. “It’s about understanding how to use it well.”
A mindset for the future
Ask Miisa what advice she would give to others, and her answer reflects both maturity and openness:
“Find your community. Build your identity. Explore your heritage—and keep an open mind.” That same mindset carries into her leadership—encouraging others not just to compete, but to grow through the process.
It is advice shaped by experience—by moving between cultures, stepping into leadership roles despite her young age, and learning to navigate uncertainty with intention.
In a world where adaptability and perspective matter more than ever, students like Miisa bring something essential: the ability to connect across boundaries while staying grounded in who they are.
And that may be exactly what the future demands.
Follow Nina for more! ninadahlblom.substack.com