AMBA & BGA EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS
What do you believe are the most important traits that a good business leader in today’s society should possess? “In this post-pandemic environment, leaders are facing a complex mixture of new challenges. Hiring, engaging and retaining remote employees and tackling the new hybrid work model amidst economic uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence are at the forefront. “In response, I think one of the most important leadership traits in today’s society is the ability to be agile, to openly embrace change and to confidently bring teams through periods of uncertainty by demonstrating authentic and genuine consideration, support and flexibility towards what really matters to their staff; essentially connecting to the ‘person’, not the ‘employee’. “Research shows that particularly since the pandemic, people are no longer as motivated by financial remuneration as they once were and are seeking more intangible benefits in their career. They are looking for meaning in what they do and are seeking rewards of a different nature from their work. “For staff recruitment and retention therefore, I believe leaders must also be adept at fostering connections and alignment between their employees and the true purpose of the organisation. Leaders must demonstrate how employees’ roles – no matter how diverse – contribute to the organisational mission and they must enthusiastically create opportunities for all staff to derive real value from their working lives on a daily basis.”
What has been the highlight of your career so far – and why? “Securing dedicated statutory funding for the hospice has probably been the most impactful achievement of my career to date. Though not hugely glamorous – and while there is still work to do to increase funding levels – this annual core funding provides a sustainable financial platform that has enabled the organisation expand its support nationally to deliver care to more families. This funding has been the foundation that facilitated the opening of Ireland’s first regional children’s hospice satellite service last year. Winning the AMBA & BGA leadership award has really been the icing on the cake. What advice would you give to someone who is contemplating embarking on an MBA programme? “I would say, ‘Yes, an MBA is intense, and yes, it will challenge you physically, mentally and emotionally, but it will likely be the most rewarding educational endeavour you will undertake in your career.’ Also, don’t put it off. There is no such thing as ‘the perfect time’ to do anything – there is only time and what you choose to do with it. On a practical note, research scholarship opportunities. They are out there and they might just offer the financial support that you need to make the MBA a reality for you.” If there were one thing that you would change about your MBA experience, what would it be? “I’m not sure it is something I could change, as the MBA academic schedule
is so intense and gruelling and there is really no way to get around that. But what I found challenging – possibly because I was completing an executive MBA and continuing to work full time while completing the course at evenings and weekends – was the inability to dedicate any time to participating in some of the extra-curricular activities on offer as part of the Smurfit experience. “I just didn’t have the bandwidth to avail of the various additional elective lectures and modules that were on offer, something that in hindsight would have been really beneficial. I also didn’t take the opportunity to engage deeply with the career development centre and other campus activities on offer. But there are only so many hours in the day and one of my key takeaways was learning how to use them most efficiently and knowing that it often involves sacrifice.” What is the single biggest takeaway from your MBA course? “I made hugely important friendships and connections, plus there are many memorable lectures and specific learnings that stay with me. However, probably the most valuable thing I took from the MBA was the awareness of how the world is now your oyster. “Because of its applicability to almost any profession, job or role, the MBA qualification really opens your eyes to potential career paths out there that you never considered previously. That is an absolute game-changer; I simply would not be where I am today without that realisation.”
Ambition | MARCH 2023 | 33
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online