KOI Circle: Asians Leaders Dinner
Leading between cultures, as ourselves
A small, private dinner for Asian leaders, by invitation only.
What this is about
This dinner brings together around eight Asian leaders to talk about what it really means to lead between cultures, and to lead as ourselves.
Many of us carry more than one set of expectations. At work, there can be an unspoken idea of what a leader should sound like, how assertive we're "allowed" to be. At home, there may be a very different set. Most of us get good at switching between the two, and code-switching can be a real skill. It can also be tiring.
After five years of living in London, I (Hester) have seen how often people expect me to behave in a certain way. This dinner came from wanting a table where nobody has to do that.
This is the heart of the evening. We'll talk about:
The expectations people put on us, and how we've handled them
Code-switching: when it helps, when it costs us and what we do about it
Where our culture is a strength in how we lead
How we bring the next generation through, so they don't have to figure it out alone
What to expect
Warm, cosy and relaxed. Think a safe space where what's said at the table stays at the table.
We'll start with a glass of wine and settle in from 6:45pm. Steve and I will give a short welcome at 7pm, then it's dinner and conversation.
Sponsored by RACE in STEM, there’s no charge for this dinner. All we ask in return is that you commit to attending and fill in a short feedback form afterwards. Koi is brand new, so your honest thoughts will help us shape what comes next.
About KOI
Founded by Hester Ho, Koi is a community for Asians between cultures. It's a space to celebrate where we come from, learn from each other and support each other's career growth.
About RACE in STEM
Founded by Steve Fuller, RACE in STEM brings together people from various ethnicities and multicultural backgrounds in the STEM space.