Beyond leadership: my LEAP program experience in the US
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I still remember the moment I got the news: I had been chosen as one of fifteen participants in the Leadership Education in America Program (LEAP). Out of 681 applicants, only two percent made it, and I was one of them. It wasn’t just a personal win. It was a challenge, and a responsibility. And it was the start of a journey that changed me from the inside out.
LEAP is run by ABLE (the Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs) and funded by the America for Bulgaria Foundation. It takes place at Babson College, the top school for entrepreneurship, which has also been ranked the second-best college in the US two years running. The program brings together driven young people from business, government and the nonprofit world who have the potential and the will to make positive change happen in Bulgaria.
First steps: from Bulgaria to Babson College
Landing in the US was an emotional moment. I felt inspired and excited, but also humbled. I knew this wouldn’t be an ordinary training course. I was ready for challenges, a new culture and people with very different backgrounds and skills.
From day one, I realized I was surrounded by remarkable people, each with their own story, knowledge and values. The program was built so that we would learn not just from the faculty but from each other.
LEAP: not just a program, an experience
The program was intense, hands-on and built around real leadership challenges. We worked in groups, cracked case studies and tested different approaches. It was all incredibly useful and incredibly energizing, even though we were busy seven days a week, from morning to night. No amount of fatigue could dampen the energy and enthusiasm in those classrooms.
What struck me most was the range of perspectives. Participants came from business, government and nonprofits, and that diversity made every discussion richer and changed the way we looked for, and found, solutions.
The cultural program in New York: theory meets reality
After two intense weeks on Babson’s campuses in Wellesley and Boston, we headed to New York to soak up the American way of life. We visited the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Museum, One World Trade Center, Fifth Avenue and other city icons.
Seeing it all in person gave new depth to everything we had learned. It reminded me how important it is to think globally and act locally.
What stayed with me after LEAP
If I had to sum up what the program gave me in one word, it would be inspiration. Inspiration to be more engaged, more mindful and more purposeful, as a leader and as a person.
I came away with practical knowledge about leadership styles, what motivates people, how to build a strong team, how to communicate better and what sets good leaders apart. I got a clearer view of my strengths and weaknesses, and of what I need to work on to become a better person and a better leader. Most important of all, I rediscovered why I do what I do.
My personal mission: helping others grow
LEAP strengthened my drive to be a mentor, both in my own companies and more broadly, because I believe real change happens when people share experience and support each other. Over the years I’ve worked with many young professionals, and I’ve always found that nothing is more rewarding than helping someone else grow.
After this program, I’m even more confident that I have the right tools to make a difference: by setting an example, by starting initiatives and by taking action.
Leadership beyond titles and positions
One of the biggest lessons for me was that leadership isn’t measured in titles. It shows in what you do: in your willingness to create value, inspire others and support them along the way.
It’s the same principle we live by at SEOMAX: building a place where people feel valued, motivated and free to reach their potential.
LEAP and the future
Joining LEAP wasn’t about prestige. It was part of a longer-term vision: learn from the best, take what works and bring it home to Bulgaria, to help build a better environment for entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable growth.
My goal is to turn knowledge into action through strong teams, new initiatives and projects that give back to society. I believe our biggest challenge is to create a country where young people see meaning and a future here, at home.
Why you should apply, too
I recommend it wholeheartedly.
If you live in Bulgaria, you’re under 40, you’re hungry to grow, you believe in positive change and you want to take your leadership skills to the next level, LEAP is for you.
Applications are now open for the program’s 2026 season, and the deadline is October 10, 2025. I truly believe this opportunity is worth it and will enrich you both professionally and personally. It’s an experience that stays with you.
Learn more about the program and how to apply here: leap.bg
Petar Dyaksov
Entrepreneur and founder of a digital agency, in e-commerce since 2009. He grows online businesses such as Fragrances.bg and Timedix and shares his experience as a speaker, moderator and mentor at nearly 80 conferences and trainings.
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