Varun's response provides a general overview of leading a team through a proof of concept development but lacks the detail and structure of the benchmark response. While he mentions the importance of defining the problem and convincing the team, he does not clearly articulate the specific challenges faced or the strategies employed to ensure alignment with strategic business goals. For improvement, Varun should focus on providing a more structured narrative that includes specific examples of challenges, actions taken, and measurable outcomes. This would help demonstrate his leadership capabilities and the impact of his efforts on the project.