Accentuated Leadership Coaching Participant Interview - Yekti

We’re near the finish line of our inaugural Accentuated programme for 2022, and have been reflecting on the things we’ve learned and shared together over the past six months or so. It’s been an inspiring and invigorating time for both our coach Suki and our participants, who have been doing some incredible mahi to discover and cultivate the unique value that they offer as influential Wahine of Colour in their respective fields. Before we wrap up on the year, we thought we would take the opportunity to interview one participant’s experience with Accentuated.

Introducing Yekti Crow

Yekti Crow is a Student Experience Manager at Summer of Tech, which is a not-for-profit that connects students and employers through early careers development programme in the tech industry. Yekti is passionate about giving a diverse range of students opportunities to kick-start their careers.

What is it about Accentuated that appealed to you the most?

I absolutely loved the idea of being able to go through this journey with other Women of Colour whose stories are relatable to me. The Accentuated programme provides a safe space for us to explore ourselves and empower the leader within us while being true to our authentic self. The programme is designed to have both workshops and career coaching that complement each other, providing opportunities for reflection on how we've applied the learning we gained in our daily lives.

What were your expectations before starting the programme?

I expected to be challenged and to put in the work into this leadership programme. I also expected to learn how to be a more well-rounded leader and how to identify my own strengths. I was interested in joining this programme because I know this could be a starting point of my own leadership journey, and would provide me with the tools I needed. However, I fully believed that in order for me to optimise this experience, I needed to give my full intention, focus and openness.

What are the most important or relevant concepts that you took away from Accentuated?

I really loved the Empowering Beliefs exercise as part of Accentuated’s Day 2 workshop: "Cultivate a Confident Mindset". We learned about the conscious and unconscious factors that affect our behaviour and how we deal with situations where we do not feel confident. The other concept I found the most useful is the DiSC Working Style as part of the Day 3’s 'Communicate Effectively and Influence Fearlessly" workshop. It helped me understand my own operating style better, and allowed me to recognise motivators and stressors in others, which is part of knowing your audience for effective communications.

How have you already or will you apply the things you’ve learned from Accentuated to your work/life?

After every workshop, I always share the high-level summary of what I've learned. This keeps me accountable in my learning as well as sharing knowledge with myteam. I have also talked about this Accentuated programme with my fellow Women of Colour leaders as a professional development programme that they should look into. As a Queer, Migrant WoC working in the tech industry in Aotearoa, which is very men and Pākehā dominated, it is important for me to be a confident leader who can empower and hold spaces for underrepresented communities to thrive.

What would you say to others that are interested in the Accentuated programme, and to those who may be sponsoring their employees to join Accentuated?

I would sincerely and highly recommend the Accentuated programme to all aspiring WoC leaders. I am very grateful to my employer, Summer of Tech, who has been very supportive throughout this whole journey. They have covered the cost of the programme as an investment for my growth and development. The Accentuated programmes provides a much-needed, customised leadership programme that is specific to WoC, given our unique needs and the challenges that we face daily. It helps us be more self aware about having leadership strengths within ourselves, allows us to own our stories and share how we've overcome adversities, as well as empower us to become role models to others.

About Accentuated

Unlike other leadership programmes, Accentuated is designed for ethnically diverse women leaders, because we recognise the unique challenges you face and the value you bring.

Over four in-person full-day workshops and online coaching sessions over six months, you'll:

Define your authentic leadership and purpose, explore what makes you unique as a leader, and how cultural backgrounds are an asset.
Cultivate a confident mindset so that you are no longer battling with the imposter syndrome or any minimising self-talks and work habits
Shine brighter by learning to communicate your value clearly, influence fearlessly and handle stereotyping and racism
Expand your network and lead by example to build up the next generation of diverse leaders.

The Accentuated in-person workshop dates

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tues 7 November, Tues 12 December, Tues 13 February and Tues 12 March

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Wed 15 November, Thurs 14 December, Thurs 8 February and Thurs 7 March

Ōtautahi Christchurch
Fri 20 October, Fri 1 December, Thurs 15 February, Fri 15 March

Tauranga
Tues 21 November, Tues 19 December, Tues 20 February and Tues 19 March

Kirikiriroa Hamilton
Taking Expressions of Interest.

One partial scholarship available now in each region.

suki xiaoOctober 31, 2022