Words from the 2019 Stars

The process to being selected as a finalist was quite a rigorous one and required a lot of reflection into my business operations over the past seven years, my leadership/management style and where I’m taking the business to. I’m highly impressed by the attention to detail that went into the application and judging process. I found all aspects of this experience extremely valuable.

It’s been quite a while since I really unpacked my journey from an assessment point of view. Win or not, I’ve left this award process clearer about the journey I’m on and more invigorated to keep pushing boundaries and take my business further. During my interview with the judges, there were some good take home points that they raised that I’m definitely going to implement in my business.

I really appreciated how the process challenged us to think differently about areas such as leadership, disruptive technologies and their impact. The initial questions that we had to respond to really made one reflect, think about leadership qualities and be honest about development areas.

I truly appreciated the part of the selection process where we had to shoot a video. It ended up being a team building session with my team as they helped me put the video together and also featured in it. I will cherish that exercise and the memories created regardless of whether I win or not. The interview panel provided incredible insights as we were given a case study on the future of retail and how one can use technology to enhance the shopper’s experience! Incredible learning experience regardless of what happens tonight, thank you for the opportunity!

The Rising Star Awards process has been thorough and intense, however this has taken me on a journey of introspection allowing me to take a closer look at my, strengths, weaknesses and my own individual leadership style. From this I have realised the areas I need to apply myself to in order to be the best team mate, leader and industry specialist.

Out of the process I will take with me a new-found confidence in my capabilities and aspirations with the assurance that anything is possible through hard work and commitment.

The process has encouraged me to constantly keep improving in all aspects professional and personal and at the same time it has showed me the power in empowering individuals, which I hope to carry with me long after this process and throughout my career.

I think the first two areas of assessment (written assignment and video presentation) in the application were pretty straightforward and standard however that being said the last stage of the process was absolutely incredible. The case study provided in the final stage of the assessment was very stimulating and the panel of judges reviewing the candidates was phenomenal. I was really inspired and energized by the environment at Accenture’s head office and found the panel of judges to be very welcoming and progressive thinkers. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the entire judging process.

My biggest takeout from the entire process will be the insight into how forward-thinking some South Africans organizations have become. We live in a fairly conservative country which is usually very slow in adapting to the latest trends and is very risk-averse to investing in new ideas but based on my experience at the end of the rising star awards process I have much more hope in our country to be at the forefront of innovation.

I was nominated by my previous line manager. It was such an honour for me. Going through the different assessments was manageable, it was not demanding. The system was running efficiently when submitting. I think the content was very relevant to young upcoming leaders.

This process encouraged me to demand more from myself and aggressively chase my goals. It also gave me a view of the calibre of a leader in the future. I will focus more on the 5 characteristics of a leader and apply it my work environment. It was humbling to see that senior people in the organisation recognise my abilities and believe in me.

I found the application and judging process to be rigorous and intense. In many respects it required one to stretch themselves to think about a number of aspects to one’s approach to leadership and navigating the workplace that I had probably taken for granted. The process required me to dig deep and truly apply my mind to what sets me apart in the workplace and what my contribution is to a successful future. Both the application and judging processes although time consuming and challenging in many respects, were also rewarding in that rigour of both processes tested me in ways I had not yet been tested in my professional career to date.

The final judging round and my engagement with the panel of judges will stay with me forever, it was a genuinely fantastic experience. The level of discussion and the insights received from each of the panellists all of who are industry leaders and/or experts at human resource management, are invaluable. In addition, the opportunity to meet other finalists and interact with them has been an eye opener and from that I have broadened my horizons and made useful contacts that I otherwise would not have made.

The whole Rising Star Awards process was competitive, rigorous and personally inspiring as it required deep retrospection. From the initial stage of being informed of the nomination, the long essay questions and the troublesome video contest made every step a thrilling challenge. I most particularly enjoyed the final stage of the interview, with the panel of the most friendly judges, as I felt the case study was futuristic in the real life aspect.

Throughout the process, it reminded me of my great leadership responsibility towards people and my country, and that I still have space for growth and development in pursuit of my professional aspirations towards becoming the kind of leader I need to be. I’m thus privileged as a finalist as it unlocks yet another professional network of associates and, I can safely say that the whole process was professionally handled, and I loved it. Thanks to the nominator, my references and the Rising Star Awards initiators.

It was an incredibly exciting process going through the various stages of the Accenture Rising Star awards for 2019. The application and judging process was engaging, and I learnt a lot about myself through it. The essay and final stage judging were very interesting; the warmth and intellect of the panel was very impressive; and the case study made me have the think critically and out of the box. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, it was a privilege to have been able to participate.

Being a part of the Accenture Rising Star awards for 2019 reminded me why I love what I do. I revisited the fundamental structures of my profession which once more reinforced that I am in the correct industry. It also reminded me of the responsibility of management and how paying it forward is an essential measure of leadership. I am blown away by the connections and networks I’ve been lucky enough to meet along this journey and look forward to growing these relationships going forward.

The prestigious nature of the Accenture Rising Star Awards is not only evident in the sheer magnitude and splendour of the final event evening, it reveals itself during all phases of the process. From the very first round in the application process it was evident that the amount of consideration that goes into selecting the top candidates was a sure sign of the high calibre finalist that would celebrate together on the final evening. The application process was detailed, required a lot of focus and self-reflection, and most importantly pushed you outside of your comfort bubble. The finals were my personal favourite – having the incredible opportunity to rub shoulders with the rising stars across various industries was a phenomenal experience – the judges were highly energised and excited about the process and this only added to the dynamic way in which the final round interviews were conducted. I fully endorse and support any opportunity for young bright minds to come together, apply their skills and hone their respective talents in order to promote and enhance the development of our future business leaders.

The true victory that must be celebrated in the Accenture Rising Star Awards is the collective recognition given to all young leaders across various industries in South Africa. Motivating and inspiring young leaders to keep pursuing their dreams and goals is what elevates the personal achievement of talented individuals to the collective celebration of leadership growth in our country. The Accenture Rising Star awards allowed me the wonderful opportunity to truly reflect on my own ability to contribute to the greater benefit of all young leaders – Young Leadership Development is the true winner in this process, and this is definitely worth celebrating!